Guilt or Guilt-Ridden?

The Man Minute:  "Sixty second investments in Christ-like manhood"

Guilt Or Guilt-Ridden ?
by Jason Cruise
 
Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death. (2 Corinthians 7:10)
 
There is no doubt that for those who are genuinely grafted into the vine of Christ, sin brings about guilt. If it doesn't, then a person has a much larger problem than the sin committed. Sin brings guilt, or "sorrow" that leads to repentance. Guilt from sin is your best friend, a guide in the vast wilderness of humanity, driving you to find shelter in the eternal heart of God that is fortified in forgiveness.
 
If only a person could keep it that way. It seems that more often than not, we tend to let guilt take up residence in our lives, allowing it to stay in our dwelling places right along side us every day. When that happens, what is born is not a righteous guilt sprung forth from a heart inhabited by Christ. When this happens, "Godly sorrow" has become bondage, a bondage holding you hostage from the heart of God and the grace that's found there.
 
When you sin, don't fight the guilt. Let it drive you to the heart of the Father. If, however, you find yourself still walking in shame and condemnation months later, change your prayer life from one seeking forgiveness to one that seeks freedom; the kind of freedom that is has learned from the experience and is resolved to leave it in the past. 

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