Counsel #6 — Guilt

Picture: Counsel #6 — GuiltCI 31.1

One of the reasons some suffer from self-disrespect is guilt. Guilt drives people to think they are worthless, deserving of damnation, and that God and humanity have reason to reject them.^{[28]https://adventistreview.org/magazine-article/holding-on-to-guilt/} But in Christ we are justified, forgiven, and made right with God. Jesus clothes the repentant sinner with His own goodness, His own righteousness, His own purity and holiness, and God views us as He does His own Son. So, don’t let guilt get in the way of your self-respect!CI 31.2

“Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.” Romans 5:1, 2 NKJVCI 31.3

“Jesus sees the guilt of the past, and speaks pardon, and we must not dishonor Him by doubting His love. This feeling of guiltiness must be laid at the foot of the cross of Calvary. The sense of sinfulness has poisoned the springs of life and of true happiness. Now Jesus says, ‘Lay it all on Me. I will take your sins. I will give you peace.’” Ellen White in Testimonies on Sexual Behavior, Adultery, and Divorce, p. 259CI 31.4

Reflect: Have you found your value in the immense wonder of Christ completely forgiving your confessed and forsaken sins?CI 31.5