Although the man and his wife were both naked, they were not ashamed. (Genesis 2:25 CEV)
Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death. (2 Corinthians 7:10 NIV)
For if you live according to the flesh you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. (Romans 8:13 NKJV)
A few weeks ago I was working at the Porter County Fair in our church booth, simply connecting with the people in our community. As a matter of course, I would ask people what church they were actively attending, why they think most people don't attend churches in our area, and what they would look for in a church if they were looking. This last question would often be met with strained looks as people held back what they were really thinking because I was a "pastor" or this was a "church booth."
One lady couldn't hold it back, though. "No guilt!" The statement came out of her mouth so quickly that she immediately looked guilty for even saying it. I empathized with her how people can pile "false guilt" on our shoulders over things for which we should not feel guilt at all. I talked a little about the environment we have at Life Bridge and, of course, invited her to come by and see what it's like.
Our discussion got me thinking afterward, though. All guilt is not bad. Guilt for our rebellion against God is given by God. It's purpose is to bring us back to God. "Godly sorrow" always brings us back to God...then it goes away.
I thought about how we try to get rid of the guilt we are feeling. We try to forget it. We try to suppress it. We get angry or depressed over it. We even try to change the definition of right and wrong so the things we do are no longer "wrong." None of it works. We hold on to the guilt until it slows us down or paralyzes us altogether. It brings us down. It brings us "death."
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