Gripped by Guilt
Gripped by Guilt
Devotions with Pastor Jason Lim
Guilt is a complex problem. Psychologists say that guilt is the most difficult problem in the whole of psychological therapy. But guilt is more than a psychological problem. It is firstly a spiritual problem. Ever since the fall of man, man has tried to reconcile with God. And that's what we call religion. Religion is man's attempt at trying to reach God to resolve the problem of guilt in our lives. According to the Bible, however, all other religions fail. No man can reconcile with God on his own. No man can resolve the problem of guilt on his own. The problem of sin, the problem of guilt, can only find its solution in one person - the Lord Jesus Christ. It is only Jesus who can deliver us from our guilt.
There are many Christians today who are living their lives under a burden and load of guilt. You feel guilty about your life because you have failed the Lord so many times. You know you shouldn't have sinned in that area but your sin keeps recurring, so much so that you feel God now hates you, and you feel condemned. You are gripped by fear and despair and guilt. Others live in condemnation mode because their legalistic church background surrounds them with a set of 'dos' and 'don'ts'. And when they don't meet up to those standards, they feel condemned, unloved by God, and stricken with guilt.
But you don’t need to live in guilt! It is absolutely important to appreciate the truth and comfort God’s word provides. Romans 8 opens with the glorious declaration, "There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus." When you are in despair, when you are in fear and when you are overwhelmed with guilt, may the Holy Spirit declare this truth loudly and clearly in your ears: "There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus."