Guilty as Charged

Dr. R.C. Sproul made an excellent point in one of his discussions about guilt. Guilt can be seen as two things. First, and most importantly, as an objective reality that has nothing to do with feelings. Second, the actual feelings of guilt. Sproul made a clear point about guilt as an objective reality. We can live in the reality of guilty sinning against the commandments of the Lord in our rebellion and never once feel guilty about our actions.

Remember When

If you know Jesus and think about your life before Him, you probably remember your sins and how you never thought about them while committing them. Only after your salvation did the weight of your sins begin to crush you. Before redemption, you were living in the objective reality of guilt.

Unattainable

Scripture reminds us that God's laws are the fixed elevation by which we measure our righteousness. In Leviticus 5:17 ESV, Moses wrote, "If anyone sins, doing any of the things that by the Lord's commandments ought not to be done, though he did not know it, then realizes his guilt, he shall bear his iniquity." We know we can never keep the law, and we will break the laws of God through our sin and rebellion. Paul knew this, and we read it clearly in his epistle to the Romans. Paul reminds us that we break the laws of God in two ways, when we violate moral law and when we violate the laws as detailed in scripture. For this, in Romans 3:23, Paul writes, "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, " We know, or we should know, that only God is righteous. "No one is good except God alone" (Mark 10:18 ESV).

An Alternate Reality

When we come to know Christ, our objective reality changes or should change, Christ rejoins us in a relationship with God. When we sin, the Holy Spirit convicts us of that sin, and we then experience the feeling of guilt. Speaking of our closeness with God, the writer of Hebrews put it this way, "let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water." (Hebrews 10:22 ESV).

Through Grace and Faith

Through Christ's grace, He released us from the curse of the law. The law reflects our inner nature, a Mr. Hyde that resides inside us. Through the law, we see our shortcomings. Through the blood of Christ, we find redemption from our sins through our repentance. Pray for those who live moralistically, thinking they can "win" their way to heaven. In reality, they push themselves further away from God daily. They swear to try harder instead of relying on the Way. Our only way to heaven is through Christ Jesus, who himself is the way, the truth, and the life. Lord, we offer you our worship and praise. In Jesus' name, Amen!