(11.11..20—-Living With Guilt! – Psalm 19:12-13 )
My friend, may I ask you a question? When a Christian sins and seeks repentance without actually believing that God will forgive, and we don't let go of the feeling that we just hadn't "repaired" the sin enough to make it go away, is God pleased?
My friend, life’s a story, welcome to This Passing Day. I’m M. Clifford Brunner?
Years ago my son Dan purchased a go-cart. Once we got it home, however, it became apparent that there were a lot of things that needed to be fixed. Eventually he painted it, replaced the engine and purchased a new clutch belt. The day finally arrived to try it out. Unfortunately, after about fifteen minutes of fun, the cart began to loose power. The belt had worn itself down prematurely so that it wouldn't engage the clutch properly. Over the months that followed he purchased several belts. Each one wore down just like the first. Finally, down to his final "good" belt, he decided to park the cart. He felt that it just wasn't worth wearing out the belts. He had developed such a fear of belt wear that he deprived himself of the opportunity to have even the few hours of fun a belt did have to offer him. In his drive for perfection, he chose to miss the imperfect but worthwhile fun of driving the cart if but for a few hours.
When a Christian sins and seeks repentance without actually believing that God will forgive, it's like that belt. We don't let go of the feeling that we just hadn't "repaired" the sin enough to make it go away.
Here's a story: A man suffered from chronic leg pain. He grew to hate that leg so much that his doctor had recommended amputation. Finally, unable to stand the pain any more, he consented. Before the operation took place, however, he made one strange request. He wanted his leg preserved and placed in a jar so that, once removed, he could jeer at it and taunt it for all the pain it had caused. Finally, leg removed, he went home and placed the jar on his fireplace mantle. He sat down to taunt the leg but soon discovered that the pain he had suffered from when the leg was attached had not gone away. Remaining resident in his mind due to the intense nature of his suffering, the pain became a phantom pain and tortured him all the more. Although his wounds had healed, the pain hadn't; but had lodged permanently in his mind. (Dr. Paul Brand)
When we worry about our guilt, we set ourselves up for pain that really shouldn't exist. We erect barriers against God's grace. Dan found out that the repairs on his go-cart had become more important that the fun of driving it. He became obsessed with fixing it even when it appeared that it wasn't fixable. He had done all he could and needed to accept the results. We need to know that God is greater than our conscience. We can't know all the sins we commit nor can we repair completely a life torn by sin. When we dwell on setting things right with God long after he has already granted us his grace, we deny ourselves the pleasure of that grace and put sin in a ruling position over us. Seeking perfection isn't practical or worthwhile. God's grace is sufficient and a lot more fun than our striving for what we cannot fix.
We pray. Heavenly Father. When we worry about our guilt, we set ourselves up for pain that really shouldn't exist. We erect barriers against your grace. We have done all we could and need to accept the results. We need to know that You are greater than our conscience. We can't know all the sins we commit nor can we repair completely our sin-torn lives. When we dwell on setting things right with You long after You have already granted us Your grace, we deny ourselves the pleasure of that grace and put sin in a ruling position over us. Forgive us Lord. Seeking perfection isn't practical or worthwhile. Your grace is sufficient than our striving for what we cannot fix. In Jesus name we pray. Amen!
Therefore my friend, do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry for itself; each day has enough trouble of its own. (Matt 6:34) This Passing Day. May this passing day honor our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and be a blessing to you and everyone you meet. Find a stranger and say hello. Don't let another day pass without your day blessing someone else.
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<thispassingday@gmail.com> From Beech Springs, God bless you for Jesus sake.