Sometimes our mistakes hang over us like a dark cloud. Our past seems to be something that sticks to us like glue. But Jesus died to set us free from the guilt and shame of our mistakes, our sins. I read something in the book of Hebrews that really made me think deeply about this particular ailment of the soul.
“For the gifts and sacrifices that the priests offer are not able to cleanse the consciences of the people who bring them… But instead, those sacrifices actually reminded them of their sins year after year.” Hebrews 9:9 &10:3″
I cannot give the whole context here, but Chapters 9&10 of Hebrews reveal to us why we suffer from guilty consciences, and describes in detail how the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, of Himself, once for all time, is the only remedy for this ailment of guilt, regret and the endless cycle of sin and shame.
I was raised Catholic, though now I worship with my husband in a mutually agreed upon denomination. he was raised Baptist. None of us are right about everything and our faith is constantly growing as God reveals more and more from his Word. But one of the traditions that I so appreciated in the Catholic Church, was walking the Stations of the Cross. I would go to the Grotto, in early Spring during Lent and walk there, reflecting on the precious sacrifice of Jesus. One year, I saw a precious woman crawling her way through the stations. These are located outside, and it is hard concrete that you walk upon. When you enter this place, you are asked to keep a vow of silence and respect the worship of others, so I couldn’t speak to her. But I sensed in my spirit that she was trying to make up for something wrong, trying to gain God’s favor, etc. I stopped and prayed for her to know the freedom that is in Christ. We could never walk the Road to the Cross for ourselves. Jesus suffered this for us. He asks us to put our faith in Him, in what He has already done for us, something we could never do for ourselves.
“Just think how much more the blood of Christ will cleanse our consciences from dead works, so we can serve the living God. (Hebrews 9:14)
“Jesus told them, ‘This is the only work God wants from you: Believe in the One He has sent. (John 6:29)
Want to be free from that dark cloud of guilt and shame?
then trust Jesus today, Believe in Him right now wherever you are.
God tells us that if we seek Him, we will find Him, if we search for Him with all our hearts.
hisshadowings.com 