Saved From Guilt

For more than 50 years I lived in guilt. Even though I knew I was forgiven by God. I had been abused at eight years old and I could never tell anybody about it. At least I felt I could not speak about it because I had made my abuse my own and I felt ashamed. In later years I felt afraid to be found out because I could possibly be rejected. I also wanted to be in the ministry so badly that I was afraid I would not be accepted and not be given a leadership position in the ministry.

Guilt, doubtless stands as one of the most distressing emotions a human being can endure. It burdens individuals, the same as bearing a weighty load of remorse inside of yourself. The majority of individuals eagerly try to avoid this remarkably uncomfortable sensation. Shame can be defined as a state of profound humiliation or disfavour. It happens when individuals fail to meet the expectations set by others, and encompasses feelings of remorse and embarrassment for not living up to the standards they believe you should uphold.

The basic motivation behind giving in to these compulsions is the desire to deaden oneself from the painful experience of shame. Sadly, giving in to these compulsions only amplifies the feeling of shame, thus reinforcing its strength. Ultimately, this subconscious cycle becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy, satisfying an indescribable desire within.

When something takes hold of inner thoughts and emotions, it inevitably shapes behaviour and actions over time.

The Law will bring guilt, shame, and fear to people, especially if they are exposed to it over and over again. There is no person who can obey the law fully. This makes all people guilty.

In the face of guilt, individuals employ various coping mechanisms. Some opt to suppress or deny it, while others attempt to rationalize their guilt by telling themselves, "I admit to my flaws, but at heart, I am a fundamentally decent person. I have never intentionally caused harm to anyone." Nevertheless, no matter how hard we strive to relinquish our feelings of guilt, there remains an unwavering truth: we are undeniably guilty of committing sins in the eyes of God.

Fortunately, there is a comforting revelation that God is fully aware of our vulnerabilities, and understands them perfectly. Additionally, we must acknowledge that we possess no inherent capability to alleviate our feelings of guilt or to abstain from committing sins.

God’s answer for our guilt is the cross of Jesus Christ, where He bore the punishment that we deserve.

Human beings will condemn and judge the sinner to protect themselves and the doctrine they themselves believe.

This is exactly what the scribes and Pharisees did with the adulterous Woman.

John 8:1-11 But Jesus went to the Mount of Olives. 2 Early in the morning He came back into the temple [court], and all the people were coming to Him. He sat down and began teaching them. 3 Now the scribes and Pharisees brought a woman who had been caught in adultery. They made her stand in the centre of the court, 4 and they said to Him, “Teacher, this woman has been caught in the very act of adultery. 5 Now in the Law Moses commanded us to stone such women [to death]. So what do You say [to do with her—what is Your sentence]?” 6 They said this to test Him, hoping that they would have grounds for accusing Him. But Jesus stooped down and began writing on the ground with His finger. 7 However, when they persisted in questioning Him, He straightened up and said, “He who is without [any] sin among you, let him be the first to throw a stone at her.” 8 Then He stooped down again and started writing on the ground. 9 They listened [to His reply], and they began to go out one by one, starting with the oldest ones, until He was left alone, with the woman [standing there before Him] in the centre of the court. 10 Straightening up, Jesus said to her, “Woman, where are they? Did no one condemn you?” 11 She answered, “No one, Lord!” And Jesus said, “I do not condemn you either. Go. From now on sin no more.”

John 3:16-18 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. 17 For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. 18 “He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

In the instance with the adulteress woman, they shamed her and condemned her but Jesus saved her from both her sin and shame.