Guilt Be Gone

READ PSALM 51

Psalm 51:10 Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.

Guilt. It's powerful.

It has stopped you from moving forward because you keep replaying past events in your mind over and over again. The questions remain the same. Why did it happen? Why did you do it? Why did you respond that way? Why would God want to use you for anything in the future when you have proven your unreliability?

Shame. It's what the devil throws in your face to "disqualify" you.

The Apostle Peter knows this feeling well. Jesus had warned him that the devil had asked to sift him like wheat. In his arrogance he boldly stated he would never deny Jesus. (Luke 22:31-34) He failed in epic fashion, not just denying Jesus once, but three times!

When Jesus rose from the dead three days after his crucifixion we're told that Peter and John ran to the tomb, but John outran Peter. (John 20:4-6) I wonder if Peter began to slow his pace when he wondered if a resurrected Jesus would remind him of his failure. The weight of guilt and shame slowed him down. Not long after visiting the empty tomb Peter decided to disqualify himself from ministry. He went back to his job as a fisherman and believed there was no longer a place for him in God's Kingdom work. It took a special visit from a resurrected Jesus to reinstate Peter in beautiful fashion. You can read the story of Jesus' love and forgiveness here. (John 21:15-19)

King David also knew guilt and shame. He had multiple deep sins. An affair with Bethsheba, a pregnancy out of wedlock, and a conspiracy to murder Uriah the Hittite (Bethsheba's husband), which was successful. The entire story is in 2 Samuel 11+12. David almost got away with it, and since he was a popular King in Israel, no one questioned him. That is until Nathan the Prophet showed up and confronted him over his sin. David's heart was rightfully filled with guilt and shame. His sin was horrible and unforgivable in the eyes of the world, and to this day some people still point to David's sin as an example of God's forgiveness going too far. Let's be honest, reading David's failure is so cringeworthy. But it wasn't David's sin that made him a "man after God's own heart," it was his brokenness before the Lord and his willingness to repent in tears that brought about the Lord's forgiveness.

What about examples from today? I recently listened to a confession from "Son of Sam" serial killer, David Berkowitz. I won't go into the heinous murders he committed in the late 1970s, but I will say that ten years after his arrest he became a highly outspoken Christian. He often writes about his faith and hope in Christ, and how he uses every day in prison as a chance to share Christ with others. Nearly 50 years after his crimes he prefers to be called "son of hope" as he shares his faith with others.

I know of another well-known murderer who is serving in prison for killing one of the most famous musicians who ever lived. (I'll let you try to guess who it is.) A close pastor friend of mine has been his prison chaplain for years and often tells me how Jesus has done a mighty work in the prisoners life.

When it comes to horrible sin, there can (and often should be) consequences in this life. But throughout Scripture we are given examples of how even the greatest sins are washed away through the grace and mercy of Jesus Christ, and Jesus promises a place in eternity for those who call on Him. A truly repentant heart will seek forgiveness from Jesus, and through the shedding of His blood on the Cross, Jesus washes those sins away.

In the eyes of Jesus there is no more guilt. No more shame. And there is no condemnation in Christ. (Romans 8:1) How does that make you feel?

My friend, let me ask you. Why are you carrying around guilt and shame? Why are you letting it stop you from the future God has in store for you? Don't wait another second...Go to the Lord right now and ask forgiveness once and for all. Ask the Lord to "Create in you a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit in you"...and then go and walk in the freedom that Christ provides for your heart.

He will forgive you. He loves you. Guilt Be Gone.

Josh Huisman is the senior pastor of Crosswalk Church in Brentwood, TN.

If you would like to support this website and make it possible for this page to stay active and these devotions to reach a wider audience, Click Here.