Seize the Moment – Day 435
Grappling with Guilt!
Genesis 42
Good morning! This is Pastor Jerry Ingalls from New Castle First Baptist Church and today is Wednesday, May 26.
Do you grapple with guilt over something in your life?
Ten of Joseph’s brothers have traveled to Egypt because they are starving in the famine. They find themselves bowing in front of the ruler of Egypt, who, unknown to them, is their brother Joseph, who was giving them a chance to be free of their past sins.
Genesis 42:21-22 captures the brothers’ conversation during this confrontation:
“Truly we are guilty concerning our brother, because we saw the distress of his soul when he pleaded with us, yet we would not listen; therefore this distress has come upon us.” Reuben answered them, saying, “Did I not tell you, ‘Do not sin against the boy’; and you would not listen? Now comes the reckoning for his blood.”
The first thing that came to their minds was their guilt over Joseph! Isn’t that interesting?
Does your grappling with guilt cause you to feel smothered by a feeling of condemnation or do you experience God’s invitation for a closer relationship with Him?
If you are in Christ Jesus, then you don’t need to feel condemned because Romans 8:1 teaches us that there is no condemnation for those who are in a relationship with Jesus.
How you grapple with guilt leads to either life or death! Just like Joseph, Paul does not regret confronting the sin of his brothers!
From 2 Corinthians 7, Paul discussed with the believers in Corinth a moment of confrontation he caused through a letter he wrote to them. In verse 10, Paul explains, “For the sorrow that is according to the will of God produces a repentance without regret, leading to salvation, but the sorrow of the world produces death.”
You have a powerful choice when grappling with guilt: Choose life through repentance!
Seize the moment and respond to the Holy Spirit’s invitation for a closer relationship with God. Guilt, shame, conviction of sin, regret… all such emotions are invitations for your sanctification! God desires your freedom from sin!