NEW TESTAMENT READING PLAN: Matthew 22-24
SCRIPTURE READING
Romans 8:1 (ESV); There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ
Jesus.
Guilt is an enormous burden on the shoulders of so many people. Apologist, Ravi
Zacharias, mentions six responses our society makes toward the battle with guilt. The first
is that we expel guilt by irreverence. In other words, we do not treat anything as sacred;
therefore no action is worthy to inflict guilt upon us. The second is that we smother guilt
by pride. When convicted of guilt, we justify our behavior with a plethora of excuses. The
third response is that we conceal guilt by fear. We hide our guilt for fear of our actions
being exposed. The fourth is that we dismiss guilt as cultural. Extremely convenient, this
response pushes all weight of guilt onto the shoulders of our culture. The fifth is that we
deny guilt by innocence. This is the refusal to feel any guilt because one has lived his life
to the best of his ability, and should therefore not feel guilty. The sixth, and only hopeful
option, is to surrender guilt to God’s grace. Here the focus shifts away from our guilt and is
placed on our great and merciful Savior.
Guilt is an unbearable burden, which is why it is so adamantly denied in our society. “If I
close my eyes, it’s not there!” Meanwhile, the elephant is still standing in the middle of the
room.
As believers, we have the truth of Paul’s proclamation: There is no condemnation – no
lasting guilt – for those who are in Christ Jesus. Guilt in itself is not bad when it lead us to
repentance. Jesus has paid for our guilt, so when we come to Him in repentance, the guilt
can be removed. It is humbling for us, and easy for Him.
PRAYER and MEDITATION
1) Think about the ideas put forth in this devotional. Go through each response to guilt and
ask the Holy Spirit to reveal times when you have responded in that way.
2) Psalm 51 was David’s response when He realized his guilt. Read this psalm as a prayer
of confession to the Lord for the sin He has revealed to you. Meditate on this Psalm
and ask the Lord if there is anything else He wants to teach you today.
