GUILT v. GRATITUDE
God calls David “a man after my own heart” (Acts 13:22). Wait a minute. Didn’t God know that David would sin? That, among other transgressions, he’d kill a man to cover up the adultery he’d committed?
Of course God knew!
Long before David stepped into history, before Adam and Eve sinned, Jesus came forward and offered Himself as our living sacrifice.
Our Heavenly Father knew we would sin. And the moment the blood of Jesus touched each sin and stain, we’d be washed clean.
So why do we have a hard time forgiving ourselves and living guilt free? Do we think our sins are worse than anyone has ever committed, so horrible that they should be closed behind a door labeled “Unforgiveable?” A door that God occasionally cracks open with utter disgust, peeks inside while shielding His eyes, and after reviewing every one of our past sins, He shakes His head at our worthlessness? Then, each sin pierces His heart anew with their original vigor until He backs way and slams the door—full of remorse that He’d ever agreed to forgive us?
A while back, a coworker told me that she thought the forgiveness God offered was “way too easy.” Something else . . . some type of penance or punishment had to be meted out. No way could the simple act of asking God for forgiveness remove her sins.
The book of Psalms records David’s close relationship with the Lord God Almighty. When Samuel confronted him, David’s response to his sins was immediate. Though he confessed them, God already knew what David had done. Beyond that, we don’t see David’s continual mention of guilt or need for those sins to be forgiven again and again.
David accepted the Lord’s forgiveness with a glad heart. In fact, he said, “As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us” (Psm. 103:12). That’s something to shout about!
I love that David included you and me in that verse! When we ask, our sins ARE removed. There’s no doubt, no need for self-mutilation or torture of any kind, no sacrifice of bulls and goats, no secret door with stored sins.
Here’s the truth about our sins: “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us (our) sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9). No guilt required. Just acceptance and a glad heart because of what the Lord has done for us.
Next time you’re outside taking a walk, or driving in your car, or flying in an airplane, or taking a hike, search the horizon. Then stop looking. And thank God for removing your sins beyond anything you can see or imagine.
By Amre Cortadino
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