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God will give us rest from a guilty conscience

No one likes to be called a sinner.However upon close examination of our own life and what the Bible teaches, there is no doubt the truth of that statement.

No one likes to be called a sinner.

However upon close examination of our own life and what the Bible teaches, there is no doubt the truth of that statement.

The Bible states a number of things related to this subject.

Shall we look at a few of them? First in Psalm 51:5, “Behold. I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me. “

That is pretty early, isn’t it ?

Paul in Romans 3:23 states, “For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God.”

He also gives us the consequences of our sin in Romans 6:23, “For the wages of sin is death” not just physical death but spiritual and eternal.

All people who have ever lived will be judged for how they have lived.

Paul in writing to Timothy said to the young preacher in 2 Timothy 4:1, “ I charge you therefore, before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick (the living) and the dead at his appearing and kingdom.” No exceptions. In the sight of God we are all guilty.

I recall an article written by Karl Menninger and I quote, “On a sunny day in September of 1973 a stern-faced, plainly dressed man would be seen standing on a street corner in the busy Chicago Loop as pedestrians hurried by on their way to lunch or business, he would solemnly lift his right arm and pointing to the person nearest him, intone loudly the single word, (guilty).

“Then without any change of expression, he would resume his stiff stance for a few moments before repeating the gesture. Then again, the inexorable raising of the arm, the pointing, and solemn pronouncing of the word, Guilty.

“The effect of these strange performance on the passing strangers was extraordinary, almost eerie.

“They would stare at him, hesitate, look away, look at each other, and then at him again, then hurriedly continue on their ways.

“One man turning to another who was my informant, exclaimed, ‘But how did he know?’

“No doubt many others had similar thoughts. How did he know, indeed?

“Guilty of what? Guilty of illegal parking. Guilty of lying. Guilty of arrogance. Guilty of unfaithfulness to a faithful wife. Guilty of evil thoughts — or evil plans? Guilty before whom? Is a police officer following? Did anyone see? But that isn’t technically illegal, is it? I can make it up. I will give it back,

“No one knows about it. I am going to quit.

“It is a dangerous habit, I wouldn’t want my children to see me.”

Perhaps you like I have sat in our car downtown and watched hundreds of people pass by and wondered where they came from and where they are going.

Also what kind of person he or she is?

Are they living a life most undesirable or is it honest and upright. We have no way of knowing.

Let us remember there is One who knows and that is God.

He is not mistaken. He knows every little detail of your and my life. We will be judged by the deeds done in the body.

However, He invites us to come to Him and he will give us rest from a guilty conscience and if we are sincere will forgive us our sins if we confess them.

In 1 John 1:9 he says, :If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse from all unrighteousness,”

Every one of us needs to come to Jesus confessing our sins, He is ready to forgive us, Friend come today — tomorrow may be to late.

Bill Annett was the pastor at Oriole Park Missionary Church (now known as Crossroads Church). He and other members of the Red Deer Ministerial Association share their personal views on Sundays and Mondays in Red Deer LIFE and Central Alberta LIFE, and encourage comments and questions from readers. These can be sent to LIFE.