TODAY’S WORD FOR WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 30, 2015.
GUILT
Responsibility for a wrong action; shame.
If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. I John 1:9.
O my God, I am too ashamed and humiliated to lift up my face to You, my God, for our iniquities have risen higher than our heads, and our guilt has grown up to the heavens. Ezra 9:6.
The verse we have put above from Ezra comes from a problem that the Jewish exiles from Babylon had to face when they returned to Jerusalem. The leaders came to Ezra, God’s prophet, and admitted that the Children of Israel had sinned against God by marrying pagans. The sin of these intermarriages was not only breaking God’s commandment not to marry pagans but they also adopted their religious practices of worshipping false gods. Even some of the Priests and Levites were guilty. When Ezra was informed about what was happening he was deeply grieved and ashamed for them. Ezra was so appalled at the faithlessness of God’s people that he fell on his knees and prayed asking God to forgive them of their sins. And he acknowledged how great their guilt of sin was against God. Ezra 9:6 (above) is the opening of Ezra’s prayer
Guilt is a result of sin. Until Adam and Eve sinned against God in the Garden of Eden they did not know what guilt was. The question we need to answer today is, “How can I get rid of guilt that I am carrying in my life?” Guilt as we know it is under the banner of forgiveness.
The first thing we must do is recognize that guilt has come from some sin in our life so we need to identify that sin and ask God for forgiveness. The Bible is very clear of what sin is and what is not. Society today regards many sins as acceptable that are not acceptable to God. So identify your sin based on Biblical standards, not of the worlds and ask the Lord for forgiveness.
The second suggestion we have is to make amends. If you have wronged another person, do not try to substitute a request for forgiveness by doing kind deeds for that person. Ask God to give you wisdom in identifying an appropriate way for you to make amends. You should also ask God to give you the courage and fortitude to follow through on your commitment first of all to talk to the person and then honor what your commitment is to that person.
And finally accept forgiveness. If you have sinned against God and have asked for forgiveness you can be assured that God has forgiven you, (see the verse we have put at the top from I John). If you have sinned against a person and he or she forgives you accept the words and do not try to second guess whether it is real or just words.
If you ask someone for forgiveness and they refuse to accept your request just move on because at that time the person who refuses the act of asking for forgiveness bears the responsibility for failing to forgive. You have done what the Lord requires of you and you stand forgiven before the Lord and that is what counts.
Our memory verse for today is found in I John 1:3.
That which we have seen and heard we declare to you, that you also may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ.
Help me to remove guilt from my life by confessing my sin and asking for forgiveness. Give me the courage to go to those that I have hurt in some manner and then give me the loving words and courage to ask for forgiveness. Thank You for the assurance that You give me that when I forgive, you also forgive me.
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