Answers to your questions about life, religion and the Bible
Freedom from guilt
Dear Father Paul: I am a man now in my 50s. In my youth, I was no saint to put it mildly. I committed too many sins to name, breaking most of the Ten Commandments many, many times. Now a respected businessman and grandfather, I find myself haunted by guilt for my past actions and fearful of the time I will stand before God in judgment. Since I haven’t been able to forgive myself, how can I expect God to forgive me? I do not attend church, afraid someone from my past will recognize me. — No Name.
Dear No Name: You don’t have to forgive yourself … at least not yet. Receive God’s forgiveness first, then forgiving yourself will come naturally and easily. I’ll show you how.
It may be little comfort, but you are not alone. There are millions and millions of people on planet earth just like you. I meet them almost every day … really! The big advantage you have, if I am reading your story and your heart correctly, is that you recognize, are sorry for and deeply regret your sins. That is the first step to forgiveness by God and peace in your own soul and spirit.
Here is something amazing that you should also know as you begin your journey of forgiveness of yourself and forgiveness by God. Its just this … the Bible, Gods Holy Word, is filled with stories of people, many of whom were probably worse than you, but who later went on to taste the riches of God’s love, his forgiveness and a close walk with him.
Did you know, for instance, the following facts about some of the Bible’s best known characters, earlier in their lives? Moses was a murderer. Noah had a serious drinking problem. Abraham lied about his wife to save his skin. Jacob deceived his father and cheated his brother. David lied, committed adultery and murder! In the New Testament, Peter, who later became the first Pope, denied even knowing Jesus on the night before his crucifixion with an outburst of cursing. The apostle Paul, who later wrote about half of the New Testament, earlier persecuted Christians and participated in the murder of St. Stephen.
All these lives of great Bible characters show the truth about each of us. That is, we are all imperfect sinners in need of a Savior.
Romans 3:23 says this: (New Living Translation) “For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard.” And since sin cannot enter heaven to pollute and ruin heaven as it has the earth, none of us can enter heaven without our sins being forgiven and actually blotted out as if they never happened. This can only be accomplished through the action of God himself when he looks at our sins and instead is able to see the blood of Jesus which was shed on the cross as full payment for our sins. So we all need, we all must have a Savior. Just forgiving our self is not enough.
When we are willing to swallow our pride, get on our knees alone with God and say the following to him out loud, then we are “saved” according to Romans 10:9. “Lord, I am a hopeless sinner, but I believe that Jesus is Lord and that his death and blood shed on the cross followed by his resurrection to life cleanses me from all sins. I receive Jesus as my Lord and Savior now. Come Lord Jesus and live in me. Thank you for your love and forgiveness Lord. Amen.”
To all my readers … lets try an experiment can we? Lets pretend it is 2116 and you and I are both dead and living in our eternal home. Lets say you are in hell. Now ask yourself this single question. Are you glad you followed Satan’s path? Really?
Now lets say that, instead of hell, you are living in heaven. Now ask yourself this single question. Are you glad you followed God’s path? Think about it.
The wonderful Good News of the Gospel is this. We don’t have to live in guilt and hopelessness. When you and anyone else reading this column take this life changing step of faith, please email me (no name needed) so I can rejoice with you. And for goodness sake No Name … go to church! Everybody there, including the pastor, was once just like you are now.
Do you have a question? Email your question to me at paulmassey@earthlink.net and I will try to answer your question in the paper.
Father Paul Massey is pastor emeritus of Church of the Holy Cross in Fayetteville, Georgia. Visit us at www.holycrosschurch.wordpress.com for directions, service times and more information.
