INNOCENT continued
Shouldn’t the father in the story of the two sons have been portrayed as at least a little angry?
Wasn’t the way he so quickly forgave his son and restored him to the family a bit premature?
Would it not have been better to make the son feel guilty about what he did?
Isn’t guilt a very effective deterrent/disincentive to sin?
When Paul had to rebuke the Corinthian church, he wrote 9yet now I am happy, not because you were made sorry, but because your sorrow led you to repentance. For you became sorrowful as God intended and so were not harmed in any way by us. 10Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death. (2 Corinthians 7:9-10)
Paul did not want the Corinthians to feel guilt. What he wanted them to feel was godly grief (or sorrow) which, he says, produces a repentance without regret.
Guilt feelings tend to make us want to run away from God rather than come to Him in repentance without regret. Guilt feelings seem more like what Paul calls “worldly” sorrow which produces death.
Grace, not guilt, is the most powerful motivator to keep us from sinning. Why? Because guilt drives us away from God whereas grace draws us close to Him - and that’s where the only real protection from sin can be found.
11For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. 12It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age (Titus 2:11-12).
When we sin
God wants your sense of sorrow not to drive you away from Him but to drive you into His arms, where you will find the same welcome the younger son received. Then you can confess your sins, accept His forgiveness and turn away from them.
This restores our intimacy with Christ and we experience a cleansing of our spirit, soul and body from sin’s corruption. And no regret.
You may ask: “But what if I still feel guilty after doing all that?”
Then your feelings are lying to you. Focus on the truth. You are forgiven!
Three helpful pictures
“Come now, let us settle the matter,” says the Lord. “Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool (Isaiah 1:18).
You will again have compassion on us; you will tread our sins underfoot and hurl all our iniquities into the depths of the sea (Micah 7:19).
Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus (Romans 8:1).
That is not just religious talk or wishful thinking. It is the truth about you. Remember what Jesus says to you: “Your sins are forgiven … Your faith has saved you. Go in peace.”
Now, watch the 18:18-minute video.
PAUSE FOR THOUGHT 3
Which of the pictures (see above three helpful pictures) of how God has dealt with our sins means most to you? Ans why?
Uncovering faulty thinking
Use the Lies List (link) to note down any areas where you realize that you have not been believing what is actually true according to God’s Word.
When you are done with your lies list, save your worksheet by pushing the EMAIL button below.