(unmarked journal entry – presumably from luke 5)

there is a difference between making someone feel guilt just for the sake of their discomfort, and guilt that comes in an effort for restoration. the Law (of God) clearly reveals our sin to us, and God’s faithfulness, too. we can see that no one can stand in the face of God and the Law, but then we also are witnesses to His great faithfulness and love. the more we look at Him, and ourselves, the more we can appreciate what He has done (in the light of who we were, who we are, and who we continue to become.)

it is obvious, more so than the nose on my face, that i am not righteous. my best efforts are a bio-hazard. God’s efforts result in the redemption of all who will accept Him. it is truly a beautiful thing, praise God! we are not left to try to earn our salvation, or to simply rot in hell. He provides a way back to Him for as long as we draw breath and He tarries…

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

i do not see Jesus walking around and making a point of imparting guilt on people. i think, once we see who God is (through the work of the Spirit in our hearts), that is something that happens pretty well by itself. being put into a position where we see the righteousness of God, and coming to an understanding of our need for His work in our lives produces the guilt that leads to repentance.

what i do see Jesus doing is telling and showing people how restoration takes place. He explains to us just how to follow God, and how to leave man’s requirements (the ones that we develop on our own, apart from God’s leading) behind, so that we can pursue that God honoring life with gusto. He didn’t look at the woman accused of committing adultery and lecture her on her sin, heaping guilt on her heart. when she was brought before Jesus, her sin was obvious, guilt was already there. He instead tells her to “…go and sin no more.” He doesn’t beat her over the head with her lifestyle choices, she knew. instead, He points her to restoration. He directs her to leave that life behind, and chase after God instead. she samples real love for the first time in her life, and it doesn’t require her to compromise herself. it doesn’t take advantage of her. it doesn’t make her feel cheap. Jesus leads her to repentance and restoration.

when the rich young ruler comes along, and asks Jesus questions trying to justify his behaviors, Jesus lays his life out before him. He reveals the true concerns of his heart, but in the process invites him to come and follow. He could have said, “you greedy, spoiled child. your love of money and status is driving you to hell! repent!” instead, He says,  “you lack one thing. go and sell all you have, and give the money to the poor. then come, and follow me” even when the sin was unknown or unacknowledged, Jesus still looks at him, loves him, and offers a simple way to leave it all behind and follow God. in doing so, the sin is revealed, but so is the solution.

yes, Jesus does pronounce His woes on the religious leaders, and they are very heavy handed. but those are the people who had memorized the Scriptures, and should have known better. they were supposed to be the leaders and teachers of the people, and they had abandoned their duties (for the most part) in order to  ‘look good’ in the sight of men. it is one thing to be a hypocrite and another to be in need of direction. james 3:1 tells us that those who presume to be teachers will be judged more harshly, and so the ‘teachers’ of Jesus day got an appropriate measure of treatment from Jesus.

guilt is simply something that helps us to acknowledge our great need for God. when the prophet isaiah comes into the presence of God, (isaiah 6) his own guilt, and even the guilt of his people, weighed heavy upon his heart and mind. when peter preached the sermon at pentecost (acts 2), the simple laying out of truth cut people to the heart. the desire to rectify the situation comes immediately when we are confronted with God. we must, then, follow the example of Jesus and show the way to restoration. we need to remember that we, and they, are wounded, and in need of aid. guilt, for guilt’s sake & left to itself, is like acknowledging someone needs first aid, but doing nothing to help heal their wounds. people who are injured usually know they are injured. we must go beyond just guilt and help lead people into restoration.

it is a process of wholeness and healing.

(guilt is an important part of acknowledging sin and a need for repentance, but it is not something to be left to itself. we cannot be half-messengers of God. we cannot issue guilt, and not show the love that leads to restoration in the process. those who spread only guilt, spread hopelessness and promote self-righteousness. guilt and restoration go hand in hand, and we must follow Jesus’ example in this, as in everything else. it is also important to acknowledge the work of the Holy Spirit in this process. conviction in the heart of the sinner comes from the work of the Spirit, not from my own eloquence and persuasive arguments. i will never presume to do the work that belongs to God in the life of another person. i cannot change their hearts, it is God’s doing.)