Conscience Clear?
The United States government has had a conscience fund for many years. Its purpose is to provide relief for people who feel guilty about cheating the government.
Max Lucado tells about a letter received in 1994 that read, "I'm sending ten dollars for the blanket I stole while I was in World War II. My mind could not rest."
Many times the amount is small but the guilt is big. One woman sent in two eight-cent stamps to make up for having twice used a stamp that had not been canceled. A former IRS employee mailed in one dollar for four ballpoint pens she had never returned to the office.
We all desire a clean conscience. We all want to be ready to meet God. Luke 23 records the story of a thief who was burdened with guilt. We don't know how much he stole or from whom or why. But we do know that dying on a cross beside Jesus, he was teetering between Heaven and Hell. We also know that he found forgiveness from Christ.
Note the steps this man took to find relief from a guilty conscience.
He feared God.
When another dying thief mocked Jesus, this man asked, "Don't you fear God?"
The first step in coming to God is to respect God as creator and judge. The fear of the Lord produces a guilty conscience and is the beginning of wisdom.
He became acquainted with Jesus.
For several hours that day, the thief watched Jesus endure mockery, abuse, and pain, and still pray, "Father, forgive them." Like the Roman centurion, the thief concluded that Jesus was of God.
He admitted his guilt
"We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong" (Luke 23:40, 41). Instead of blaming heredity, environment, education, or circumstances, this man said, "I'm responsible for my behavior. I'm guilty." The closer he got to Jesus, the more he became aware of his own sin.
He requested forgiveness
"Remember me when you come into your kingdom." With only a few minutes left to live, this man couldn't offer good works or money. All he had to offer was his need. His only hope was in the saving grace of Jesus Christ. But that was enough. Jesus said, "I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise."
It's never too late to be cleansed of a guilty conscience. To the non-Christian, God's Word says, "Repent and be baptized ... for the forgiveness of your sins" (Acts 2:38). To the Christian who has fallen into sin, 1 John 1:9 instructs, "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness."
Consider:
I. What is the difference between being guilty and feeling guilty? What is the difference in resolving each?
2. Do you think it is harder to give forgiveness or receive forgiveness? Why?
3. Is there an unsettled issue of guilt in your life? What do you need to do to take care of it?
Pastor Paul Leavens