LIfestyles Ideas Management - Are you wrestling with guilt?

As a young man imprisoned in a Nazi concentration camp, Simon Wiesenthal was taken one day from his death camp to a makeshift army hospital at the request of mortally wounded Nazi soldier. Tormented by the crimes in which he had participated, the soldier wanted to confess to, and if possible, receive absolution from a Jew. “I know that what I am asking is almost too much for you, but without your answer I cannot die in peace.”

Guilt is one of the oldest sentiments ever expressed in the history of human race. In the open chapters of Genesis, we read of Adam and Eve hiding from God’s voice as he was calling, “Where are you?” The question was intended not to highlight a place but a condition.
Neither Adam nor Eve could break free from the ensuing anguish of a choice made in willful violation of God’s command.
In the similar manner, in Psalm 51 David spoke of the pain within him when his adultery with Bathsheba and the murder of her husband was brought to light. He likened it to the agony of a person with crushed bones. And who could forget the image of Pontius Pilate trying to wash his hands of the guilt that he feared from having sent Jesus to the cross. Even today there is a mountain named after him in Switzerland and legend says that every Good Friday, his ghost is seen coming to the waters of Lucerne to wash away his guilt.

Whether guilt is thought of as a ghost that haunts, or a fractured body or a wounded spirit, all cultures and religions wrestle with the issue of guilt. And herein lies the difference between Christianity and the other religious worldviews. What separates Christianity from the others can be summarized into one word forgiveness.
The one who comes to the cross of Christ knows with certainty that his debt has been paid, once and for all.
Guilt can be eradicated completely. The only way to deal legitimately and adequately with guilt is to surrender it to the grace of God. Then and only then can we die and live in peace. Extracted – sermon from Pastor Richard Lim, 7 October 2007.
As a young man imprisoned in a Nazi concentration camp, Simon Wiesenthal was taken one day from his death camp to a makeshift army hospital at the request of mortally wounded Nazi soldier. Tormented by the crimes in which he had participated, the soldier wanted to confess to, and if possible, receive absolution from a Jew. “I know that what I am asking is almost too much for you, but without your answer I cannot die in peace.”

Guilt is one of the oldest sentiments ever expressed in the history of human race. In the open chapters of Genesis, we read of Adam and Eve hiding from God’s voice as he was calling, “Where are you?” The question was intended not to highlight a place but a condition.
Neither Adam nor Eve could break free from the ensuing anguish of a choice made in willful violation of God’s command.
In the similar manner, in Psalm 51 David spoke of the pain within him when his adultery with Bathsheba and the murder of her husband was brought to light. He likened it to the agony of a person with crushed bones. And who could forget the image of Pontius Pilate trying to wash his hands of the guilt that he feared from having sent Jesus to the cross. Even today there is a mountain named after him in Switzerland and legend says that every Good Friday, his ghost is seen coming to the waters of Lucerne to wash away his guilt.

Whether guilt is thought of as a ghost that haunts, or a fractured body or a wounded spirit, all cultures and religions wrestle with the issue of guilt. And herein lies the difference between Christianity and the other religious worldviews. What separates Christianity from the others can be summarized into one word forgiveness.
The one who comes to the cross of Christ knows with certainty that his debt has been paid, once and for all.
Guilt can be eradicated completely. The only way to deal legitimately and adequately with guilt is to surrender it to the grace of God. Then and only then can we die and live in peace. Extracted – sermon from Pastor Richard Lim, 7 October 2007.