Our Response to Guilt

As we finish up our conversation regarding guilt, we remember that guilt comes from the context of relationship.  We saw many different ways that we wrongly respond to guilt.  See last week’s sermon.  But God wants us to respond to guilt well.

David is addressing his guilt.  Nathan had confronted David with his adultery with Bathsheba.  David’s guilt was in connection with his relationship with God.  Probably the most dangerous response is creating distance.  It leads to not feeling guilt at all. David, in response to his guilt, prays out for mercy for David’s transcressions according to God’s compassion.

David is not minimizing what he did to those he violated around him.  He is saying that he did wrong to many, but his sin is before God.  Confession means to agree with God.  And we see David agreeing with God knowing his sin, and wanting to be right.

God’s standard is always right.  God doesn’t do anything that needs to be hidden.  It is always in the light.  So if I claim to  be His, but I don’t live outside that relationship, you cannot claim to have fellowship with the Father.  Not saying that you are perfect, but if your lifestyle is contrary and you see no problem with your disjointed walk with God’s truth, you are a phony.

But if we walk in the light, in God’s truth… if we walk in fellowship with each other… if we accept the purification in Jesus’ blood from sin… We are living in righteousness.  But this doesn’t mean we don’t sin.  If you think you do not sin, you deceive yourself and God’s truth is not in you.

So what do we do when we know that we struggle and sin?  That isn’t being in darkness, but it is associated with darkness.  We must understand that we are going to sin.  What do we do then if we are going to sin?  We have to confess our sin.  We have to declare that we want to turn away from that sin and towards God’s truth.  And God will be faithful, every time, to forgive us of our sin and cleanses me of that sin.