One of the main themes of the Bible is the question of how to solve the problem of sin and guilt.
Guilt is as old as mankind, starting with Adam and Eve, who made a free choice to break the one rule given to them “do not eat from this tree”. The rest of the Bible shows how this original problem gets solved, not by mankind, but by God himself.
Because God is Justice there is a basic rule: Sin needs to be atoned for.
The Bible tells us that the wages of sin is death.
Because God isn’t keen on killing the people he loves, even in the old testament, he has arranged a way of atonement, where the guilt/sin is placed on an animal and the animal gets sacrificed. Someone died to fulfill the basic rule of justice. Sin is atoned for, the problem of guilt is solved.
I do not recommend that you start killing animals though. God says that he didn’t like all the animal killing to begin with. We would much rather have people turn to him and follow his guidance. So he came up with a final solution, the ultimate sacrifice that will solve the problem of guilt and sin once and for all.
He sent his son Jesus to become human, to live a life under his guidance, a life that was free of guilt and sin. Then he made Him the sacrifice. He took all the sin and guilt and placed it on his son and allowed for him to die in our place, to take the punishment on himself. So that sin is atoned, once and for all. The problem of guilt is solved.
It is, if you agree to be part of the offer God is making you here. He respects free will more than anything (the reason why he put the option of a bad choice (tree) into the garden, by the way). He is waiting for you to agree to the Jesus-Deal. Here is a simple way how you can do that.
Prayer time! Sorry, I am not good with sounding properly religious. Maybe you want to repeat this or use your own words.
Hi God,
I heard this thing about Jesus and how he came to die for my sin so that I don’t have to feel guilty anymore. I think it’s a very good deal. Thank you for making it.
I agree to this offer. Please let this atonement Jesus died for count for me. Please forgive me what I have done wrong _________________. Maybe you could help me to do things better in the future so that we don’t have this conversation that often. I believe that this works and you have forgiven me. I think I can forgive myself too, then.
See you next time! Bye! (or Amen, if you like that better)
The Bible says that when we confess our sin and ask forgiveness we will be forgiven. The standard is restored. You can start afresh.
The church has started a tradition of Confession where you go to someone like a priest or preacher and tell them what you feel guilty about, then pray with them to receive forgiveness. Some people find this very helpful. It doesn’t even have to be a priest you talk to. A good friend who loves you and shows compassion and mercy for your weakness would do just as well. Especially when the person you failed cannot be contacted, this is a way to receive forgiveness anyway.
Sometimes you just feel guilty but there isn’t any real guilt. Prayer still works. Guilt is just one of the things Jesus took to the cross with him. Sickness, our burdens and worries and bad thoughts tormenting us are other reasons. He died for these as well.
Leave a Reply