The fact that you experience ANY guilt or conviction regarding your thoughts, words or actions reveals how seriously you take your relationship with Christ. You will sin. Why? Because you’re still human and the old man, though in a state of suspended animation*, wants to come out and play. Scripture tells us in 1 John 2:1-2: “My dear children, I am writing this to you so that you will not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate who pleads our case before the Father. He is Jesus Christ, the one who is truly righteous. He himself is the sacrifice that atones for our sins—and not only our sins but the sins of all the world.” So if you feel remorse for your words or actions, that is a very good thing. Now the next step is to repent for your sin and vow that, with the Spirit’s help, you’ll not be doing that again. But if you do, and seek forgiveness for the same thing again, you are not condemned by God, but forgiven. In fact you’re forgiven 7 x 70 times according to the gospels, which is symbolic for an infinite number of times.
There are those who feel no guilt whatsoever when they succumb to the lure of the sin. That should lead us to consider what type of relationship that individual actually has with Christ. We are not to judge; however, we can be fruit inspectors. Even then we are not to judge, but treat them with kindness and prayer. It is the Spirit of God that can gently minister instruction so that an individual has a new path to follow. The path of righteousness.
Until next time, walk with the King & be a blessing.
In His Name & for His Glory,
RL Keller
Bread of Life Ministries
*What I mean by that is that because of our diligence to obey the Lord, our old sinful nature has been kept at bay. It is only when we entertain sin that our old nature rises as if from the grave to cause havoc and pain.
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