I feel really guilty for believing in Jesus and taking
his forgiveness and eternal life, but then not doing the other stuff he
wants.
What does God think about that?
This is a great question. It came from a confirmation student. When it
was asked, the rest of the students nodded agreement and said they’d had
similar thoughts, so chances are real good you have had that same guilty
feeling.
I would respond to that question first with this question: Who do you
suppose gave you that “twinge of guilt?” God
did.
Whenever you feel guilty about doing something you know God doesn’t want you
doing (or for not doing something you know He does want you to do), that’s
God trying to get your attention.
And what does God want you to do when he has your attention?
First of all, run - don’t walk - to Jesus for the forgiveness he purchased
on the cross. He has forgiveness for all your sins. Take it !
But after he has your attention and you have his forgiveness, then what?
Then do what Matthew (the disciple who at that time was a “tax collector”)
did in a similar situation:
As Jesus went on from there, he saw a man named Matthew sitting at the tax
collector's booth. "Follow me," he told him, and Matthew got up and followed
him. Matthew 9:9
Matthew had grown up in a Jewish household. He knew God. He knew God
wouldn’t be pleased with the cheating and lying that was typical of the tax
collector profession in those days. He likely had a lot of guilt. And
when Jesus came and said “Follow me,” Matthew did. He got up and quit the
profession that was bringing the guilt. Then he invited Jesus into his home
for a meal. The closest of fellowship.
When you find God pecking you on the shoulder with a feeling of guilt, ask
His forgiveness and then heed Jesus’ call to simply walk away from what is
causing you the guilt. Heed his call to follow him. And then invite him into
your life - not to eat a meal, but to help you walk away from whatever is
making you feel guilty.
We are coming up to the season of Lent. The time when it is traditional to
“give something up.” Ask God for his power to give up that thing that’s
giving you those guilt feelings, something that thing that’s keeping you
from following Jesus as you know he wants. It won’t be easy, but it will be
worth it. God has the power to help. It’s what he wants you to do.
