The Guilt of Sin...!?

Recently I was speaking to someone who was weighed down by a sinful choice they had made.  While the choice was not a good one, I was saddened by the response of this individual.  It was as if they believed God was seeking to punish them MERCILESSLY for the choice they had made.  We know from living and based on Romans 6:23 that there are consequences to sin - ^"For the wages of sin is death,..." So often people stop there and do not finish the verse which concludes by saying - "but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." (NKJV) 

It says it clearly "THE GIFT", there is nothing we can do in and of ourselves. Because our righteousness is as filthy rags (Isaiah 64:6).  So even if we think we are living a perfect life and making all of the right choices, it is like filthy rags and we should be careful that pride does not creep in and suffocate humility and the reliance on God.  

So as me and this individual talked, I reminded them that this thinking was a GREAT lie and a trick of the devil.  For the devil desires for us to believe that we have to "do better" in order to come before God - again, this is a lie!  We are to come as we are and allow God to enter and begin to change us from within so that we have true repentance (a turning away from sin) and sustained change.  It is the guilt of dealing with our choices that so easily throws us off track and makes us want to give up and not keep fighting the good fight.  Ignore those voices (embedded link to a blog entry) and push past the negativity.  Allow God in and slowly begin to overcome those habitual choice patterns.  I think Micah 7:18-19 (NKJV) says it best: 

"18 Who is a God like You, Pardoning iniquity And passing over the transgression of the remnant of His heritage? He does not retain His anger forever, Because He delights in mercy.  19 He will again have compassion on us, And will subdue our iniquities.  You will cast all our sins into the depths of the sea."


God is MERCY, enjoy the GIFT because the price has already been paid, you simply have to accept it (and Him) and allow that still small voice to take charge!

Blessings,
-d