Hey guys, part two of our series from Andy Stanley's book, It Came From Within, dealt with guilt. When we do something "wrong" to someone, it establishes GUILT that gets lodged in our heart. As a result, guilt screams "I OWE YOU" to the person who you feel guilty toward. Following me?
Whether its a father who left their family, a student who told their best friend's secret, a son/daughter who lied to their parent about where they went on the weekend...the offender now owes and guilt is established in the heart! Nothing less that paying the debt will relieve a guilty heart of its burden.
I talked about how our attempt at emptying our "sin bucket" every night before bed, only to fill it back up the next day with the same things, is a poor attempt at feeling better about what we did! It becomes more about "feeling better" than actually changing our lives. Not only that, it is an insult to the final work that Christ did on the cross! Good thing He loves us unconditionally. We wouldn't put up with friends like that!
1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
Confession, the way that God created it is the ONLY way to rid guilt and stop reoccurring sin in our lives. Jesus said "Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to your brother, then come and offer your gift" - Matthew 5:23-24. dc Talk had a song out a long time ago titled "Just Between You And Me". It talked about how unresolved offenses keeping us from the throne of God.
In order to reconcile our differences with Christ, we have to reconcile to those we feel guilty toward (because we wronged them). Open confession to the ones we have wronged have the power to break the cycle of sin in our lives. THAT IS WHAT CONFESSION IS ALL ABOUT! God's forgiveness does not exempt us from the responsibility of confession and restitution. His forgiveness is the very reason to confess in the first place!
Check back in next week when we tackle ANGER!
Love you guys ~ Brian
Whether its a father who left their family, a student who told their best friend's secret, a son/daughter who lied to their parent about where they went on the weekend...the offender now owes and guilt is established in the heart! Nothing less that paying the debt will relieve a guilty heart of its burden.
I talked about how our attempt at emptying our "sin bucket" every night before bed, only to fill it back up the next day with the same things, is a poor attempt at feeling better about what we did! It becomes more about "feeling better" than actually changing our lives. Not only that, it is an insult to the final work that Christ did on the cross! Good thing He loves us unconditionally. We wouldn't put up with friends like that!
1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
Confession, the way that God created it is the ONLY way to rid guilt and stop reoccurring sin in our lives. Jesus said "Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to your brother, then come and offer your gift" - Matthew 5:23-24. dc Talk had a song out a long time ago titled "Just Between You And Me". It talked about how unresolved offenses keeping us from the throne of God.
In order to reconcile our differences with Christ, we have to reconcile to those we feel guilty toward (because we wronged them). Open confession to the ones we have wronged have the power to break the cycle of sin in our lives. THAT IS WHAT CONFESSION IS ALL ABOUT! God's forgiveness does not exempt us from the responsibility of confession and restitution. His forgiveness is the very reason to confess in the first place!
Check back in next week when we tackle ANGER!
Love you guys ~ Brian
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