No More Guilt or Shame

Guilt and shame are God-given tools to move people to confession and repentance before Him.  Too many times, however, feelings of condemnation are tolerated and justified in the life of a Christian who has repented of a sin.  To those who are in Christ Jesus, there is no condemnation for those who have repented and forsaken their sins.  Old sins need not weigh us down, for the blood of Jesus is sufficient to atone for them.  The justice of God has been satisfied through His sacrifice, and we are free of all guilt and shame by grace through faith.

God has chosen to remember the sins of His people no more, but the devil is only too happy to remind us of our transgressions.  His accusing voice rings in our heads, and because we agree we have done wrong there may be a temptation to allow his venomous attacks without resistance.  When we wander from Christ, He calls us to return to Him.  There is no waiting period for God's forgiveness, some penance that first must be endured before we will be accepted back into fellowship with God when we truly repent.  The scripture says without reservation in 1 John 1:9, "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."  "That's too easy," some might complain - like the older brother in the parable of the prodigal son who returned to his father.  Was the cross too small a payment in your estimation?  That is what it cost God for man to be forgiven of a single sin.  The devil and men alike want men to pay with guilt and shame for their sins when Christ has paid already.

When the book of the Law was read in Nehemiah's day, the people wept when they heard it.  They were remorseful and contrite for their wrongs.  They had sinned greatly against God and without atonement His great wrath would be upon them.  Fresh out of captivity and they had entered into sins that were the cause of their captivity for 70 years!  If man was God, he might be satisfied for people to remain in their guilt and shame a bit longer, to make sure they really knew how great their transgressions were!  God is not like a man.  Those who repent and humble themselves before God in faith and repentance will be accepted by His grace.  Nehemiah 8:9-12 says, "And Nehemiah, who was the governor, Ezra the priest and scribe, and the Levites who taught the people said to all the people, "This day is holy to the LORD your God; do not mourn nor weep." For all the people wept, when they heard the words of the Law. ¹⁰ Then he said to them, "Go your way, eat the fat, drink the sweet, and send portions to those for whom nothing is prepared; for this day is holy to our LORD. Do not sorrow, for the joy of the LORD is your strength." ¹¹ So the Levites quieted all the people, saying, "Be still, for the day is holy; do not be grieved." ¹² And all the people went their way to eat and drink, to send portions and rejoice greatly, because they understood the words that were declared to them."  Amazingly, the people were commanded not to weep.  Instead they were to rejoice because the joy of the LORD was their strength.  Their tears of sorrow were turned to tears of joy.  Their sins were great, but the atonement, forgiveness, grace, and acceptance of God was greater still.

If we practice sin, the absence of guilt and shame should be very concerning indeed.  This shows our hearts have been hardened and deceived, perhaps even unregenerate!  But if you are a Christian who has repented and forsaken sin, you should no longer bear the weighty yoke of guilt and shame for transgressions Christ has cleansed.  We do well to remember our faults so we will not repeat them.  Instead of drowning in sorrows and shame, and sinning further by pitying ourselves, let us choose to rejoice in the assurance of Christ's forgiveness through the promise of the Word.  Do not delay to come to Christ and be reconciled to Him through repentance.  Those who come to Christ He will by no means cast out (John 6:37).  May the joy of the LORD be your strength as you consider all your Saviour has done for you!