Feeling Guilty

Feeling Guilty?

by Dan Gross

If so, you're not alone. Millions all around the world are suffering from continuous feelings of guilt. The Bible says that God gave the law that "all the world may become guilty before God" (Romans 3:19).

Guilt is an evidence of a spiritual problem, but it also has negative effects on our mental and physical well-being. Thousands of dollars spent on mental and physical health care could be saved if the problem of guilt was resolved.

Why do I Feel Guilty?

You feel guilty because you are guilty! "As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one" (Romans 3:10). "For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23).

There are many who will teach you that you are a good person. An abundance of books and seminars exist to teach you positive thinking. While positive thinking does have benefits in some areas, it should never be used to deny reality. Someday the facts will catch up with you. No matter what the current best-selling authors may tell you, God says that you have sinned against Him.

What does God consider to be sin? We don't have to guess. God tells us. Space does not allow us to list every sin mentioned in the Bible, but here is a partial list: abusing yourself (homosexuality and sexual perversion), adultery, covetousness, drunkenness, effeminacy (womanish behavior by men), envy, extortion (getting something from someone else through coercion or intimidation), filthiness, foolish talking, fornication, hatred, heresy, idolatry, jesting, lasciviousness (lustfulness, lewdness), murder, revelling (carousing and rioting), reviling (cursing at others or using abusive language), sedition (rebellion against authority, disturbing the public peace), strife, theft, uncleanness (impurity such as sodomy, lesbianism, etc.), variance (quarreling and disputing), witchcraft, and wrath.

But this is not all! James 2:10 says, "For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all." And Romans 14:23 declares "whatsoever is not of faith is sin." Whenever your thoughts, words, or deeds are not based upon faith in God's word, it is sin. That is why you feel guilty!

How Serious is Sin?

Sin leads to feelings of guilt, and guilt has many negative effects, as we have seen. Nevertheless, there are far worse consequences to sin than our feelings of guilt.

The Bible states unequivocally: "For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord" (Romans 6:23). Sin brings death. When Adam sinned, death entered into the world (Romans 5:12). This included both physical and spiritual death. According to Ephesians 2:1, all men are "dead in trespasses and sins." They are separated from the life of God.

People fear physical death and go to great lengths to avoid it. Yet the Bible speaks of a second death that is far worse. "But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death" (Revelation 21:8). [In case you think this list doesn't include you, notice that it says "all liars." The Bible says all men are liars (Romans 3:4).] The second death is eternal separation from God in the lake of fire. In the lake of fire there is everlasting torment, with no hope!

What Can I do to Overcome Guilt and Sin?

Everyone struggles with guilt feelings; and almost everyone is honest enough to admit to being a sinner. Feeling guilty is not enjoyable. Sin often brings immediate negative consequences. Then, of course, there is the constant, nagging fear of judgment. Recognizing that a problem exists, everyone seeks to find a solution to this problem.

Some people try religion. They believe that God will forgive their sin if they do one or more of the following: get baptized, obey God's commandments, partake of the sacraments, give money to the church or temple, attend church faithfully, become a member of a church, go to confession, pray, partake of Holy Communion, etc.

Others believe that doing good works is the way to salvation. They are of the opinion that, if they try to be good in this life, God will not send them to the lake of fire. Therefore, they do their best to live a good life and to be kind to others.

Another path taken by some is that of philosophy. The idea is that if I can only think deeply about questions such as, "Who am I?"; "Why am I here?"; "What is the meaning of life?"; etc., I will discover the solution to the problem of sin and guilt.

Many people do not want to think about God, sin, judgment, the lake of fire, and so forth. Therefore, they continuously seek pleasure to try to avoid thinking about standing before a Holy God on Judgment Day. Pleasure may take many forms e.g., money, music, sex, sports, work, TV, food, etc.

Do any of these solve the problem? "But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness" (Romans 4:5). Can religion and good works get you to heaven? NO! God's word says that the one who has faith is justified. God says that the one who "worketh not" is justified. The opposite side of the coin is that the person who does work is not justified ("Work" in this context refers to the religious acts and good works mentioned above.) If you are trusting in baptism, trying to be good, obeying God's commandments, doing your best, giving money to the church, and so forth, you will never be saved. Justification is to the one who "worketh not," but has faith.

Ephesians 2:8-9 is also clear in this matter: "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: not of works, lest any man should boast." God says that salvation is by grace through faith. No one can be saved through religious rituals, ceremonies, sacraments, or ordinances. No one can be saved through trying to be good. God says "there is none that doeth good, no, not one" (Romans 3:12). Religion, good works, philosophy,and pleasure can never give you eternal life. None of these will save you from eternal judgment in the lake of fire.

Christ Was Made Sin for Us

So far we have seen that:

All have sinned.
The penalty for sin is eternal separation from God-everlasting torment in the lake of fire.
Our religious acts and efforts to be good cannot bring forgiveness of sin.

This paints a very bleak picture. We are lost in sin, under condemnation, and unable to do anything to earn salvation.

Thankfully, this is not all that God's word tells us. Now we come to the good news!

Despite our rebellious nature, God loved us enough to send His Son, Jesus Christ, to provide a solution to our problem with guilt and sin. "But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8). Jesus Christ came to earth to die-to die for you and me. He was punished for our sin. In fact, on the cross, Christ became sin. "For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him" (2 Corinthians 5:21).

Jesus Christ took upon Himself the punishment for your sins-all of your sins. He paid the penalty in full! God the Father, as Judge, was satisfied that the penalty had been paid in full. There is nothing religious, no sacrificial act on your part, that can add anything to the blood that Christ shed for your sins. He did it all! It is finished!

You can be Free of Guilt-Today and Forever

God has provided a solution to your problem with sin and guilt. You can be free of guilt-right now! God offers salvation as a free gift to all who believe. "Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law" (Romans 3:28). If you will simply believe that Jesus Christ died for your sins-that He paid the penalty for your sins-God will forgive you right now! Don't trust in your religion, your church, your denomination, your priest or pastor, your baptism, your efforts to be good, etc. God never promises to save all Roman Catholics, or all Lutherans, or all Baptists, or all Methodists, or all Charismatics, etc. He only promises to save those who have placed their faith in the blood that Christ shed on the cross for sin. It is God whom you have offended. He alone can forgive you-and He will forgive you, if you will but trust in the death that Jesus Christ died for you. This, and this alone, is the gospel of your salvation. We plead with you to take care of your guilt problem once and for all. Receive the gift of eternal life! Believe that Jesus Christ died for your sins!