Acts 3:19

AMP – So repent [change your inner self – your old way of thinking, regret past sins] and return [to God – seek His purpose for your life], so that your sins may be wiped away [blotted out, completely erased], so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord [restoring you like a cool wind on a hot day];

NRSVUE – Repent, therefor, and turn to God so that your sins may be wiped out,

VOICE – So now you need to rethink everything and turn to God so your sins will be forgiven and a new day can dawn, days of refreshing times flowing from the Lord.

The Removal of Guilt

Peter wants the people of Jerusalem to turn away from their unbelief and turn to a relationship with God through their faith. Repentance involves a confession of sin, a change heart, and a decisive turning from rebellion to obedience. God gives us the full forgiveness through the death and resurrection of Jesus, who died an atoning death. God removes the guilt that sin deals through those who repent and believe.

REFLECTION CHECKPOINT: How can your sinful past make you feel guilty? How has guilt shown up in the different parts of your life?

God Forgives and Forgets

Let’s talk about guilt. Guilt refers to two things:

• The state of having committed an offense, typically against God’s commands.
• The accompanying feeling of remorse or responsibility for that wrongdoing.

Guilt is us recognizing that we have done something wrong, often going against what God teaches us AND having a feeling that we regret what we did and take responsibility of our actions.

In the Old Testament, guilt is connected to sin and transgression against God’s command. Those who would commit sinful acts, even unintentionally, would be subject to sin’s consequences and would be required to make a sin offering in order to seek atonement. This sacrifice would be the way to find reconciliation with God.

In the New Testament, guilt is connected to sin and redemption through Jesus. All of us are a victim of sinful behavior and fallen short of God’s glory. The solution to this guilt is through Christ’s atoning. Jesus offered Himself as an unblemished (sinless) sacrifice. Jesus cleanses our consciences from acts that lead to death. Christ’s sacrifices leads us from guilt and guides us to a life following God’s command.

Guilt reminds us that we need His love and forgiveness. It brings to our minds the separation between the earthly ideal and God’s will. Biblically, guilt is not just a psychological feeling, but something that requires divine intervention. Through our faith in Christ, we are declared as made right with God, our guilt is removed, and we find peace with God.

Guilt shows us that we did something wrong, we want to own it, and that we regret it. With the old covenant through the Mosaic Law, we would have had to perform a sin offering to atone for our sins and work to find reconciliation with God. The new covenant, made through Jesus, shows us that Jesus died for our sins. Through this atoning act, we are forgiven and the guilt that we would carry has been removed. God forgives and forgets. God doesn’t want us to beat ourselves up over our past, but to learn from it and move forward in the plan that He has set before us.

REFLECTION CHECKPOINT: What does it mean to you that your sins are forgiven and forgotten? How can that change the impact your past makes on your present?

Forgiveness Feeling

This reminds me of the words found in 1 John 1:9

AMP – If we [freely] admit that we have sinned and confess our sins, He is faith and just [true to His own nature and promises], and will forgive our sins and cleanse us continually from all unrighteousness [our wrongdoing, everything not in conformity with His will and purpose].

NRSVUE – If we confess our sins, he who is faithful and just will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

VOICE – But if we own up to our sins, God shows that He is faithful and just by forgiving us of our sins and purifying us from the pollution of all the bad things we have done.

Confession brings our sinful behavior before God instead of trying to hide it or excuse it. It requires us to be honest and repentant. The honesty will help us acknowledge and accept the consequences of our sinful behavior and the repentance will guide away from those sinful behaviors and towards behaviors that align us more with God. God’s forgiveness doesn’t ignore our guilt. We will have to own up to our past. However, God doesn’t hold that against us. His justice and mercy meets in Christ’s atoning act, giving us a place to find transformation, confidence, and reconciliation. Forgiveness removes our guilt and restores our relationship with God. Forgiveness is not earned by just confession, but confession mixed with humility. God purifies us from the ugliness that sin can bring. It brings a renewing life as the Holy Spirit creates transformation within us marked by following God’s command and standing out against God.

Wrestling with this guilt involves confession, repentance, and faith in the work of Christ. It should encourage us to bring our behaviors to God, trusting that He will guide us on the right path of life. Confession allows us to recognize what paths we’ve been walking down have been unhealthy and led us astray from God’s plan. Feeling guilt can lead us to wanting transformation. It gives us the nudge to look at how we can change parts of our lives and become more like Christ. It gives us paths to seek forgiveness and work towards a plan of transformation, leading with love and forgiveness over selfishness and ego.

REFLECTION CHECKPOINT: When you find forgiveness through Christ, what changes do you hope to see impacted in your life?