The Problem Of Guilt

“There is now therefore no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus…”
Romans 8:1 (NKJV)

For many the problem of guilt is a millstone that hangs around their necks crushing the very joy of salvation out of them. Yet when we properly understand the grace available in Jesus we are released from this terribly debilitating burden.

How can this be? What is it about Jesus’ work on earth that can provide this freedom from feelings of guilt?

Let us first ask where these feelings of guilt come from. They arise largely from our inadequacy and our failure to live up to the high calling that we have in Jesus Christ. This is certainly a high standard and one, frankly, that is beyond us. We believe that we have to live at this level. Yet when we try we quickly find that it is impossible. We constantly fail and fall short of our intentions and this in turn produces feelings of guilt because we believe that this is what God requires of us.

Now, there is nothing wrong with setting oneself high standards and struggling to keep them, but there is something very wrong with believing that God is waiting to find us ‘guilty’ when we miss the mark.

The truth is that God is not waiting to find us guilty because he has already found his Son guilty of our transgressions. All the guilt we could have has already been dealt with by Jesus.

Notice verses 32 to 34 of Romans 8:“He who did not spare his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?  Who shall bring a charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies.  Who is he who condemns? It is Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us.”

Isn’t this the most wonderful news? How liberating to know that Jesus has dealt with all our guilt and now stands at the right hand of God interceding on our behalf.

See how Paul responds to this amazing grace:  “For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (verses 38-39).

Prayer

Father in heaven, thank you for the blessed release from our human failings that you have provided in Jesus. Help me to walk in the freedom that this gives me and to be able to live my life for you without feelings of guilt when I should fall short.

Amen 

Study by David Stirk