Excuses, Walls, and Jello
I am guilty.
We don’t hear people say that very often these days. We hear things that SEEM like “I am guilty.” Our apologies are usually fortressed by excuses. “I am sorry I lied, but I was trying to protect you;” or “I am sorry I hurt you, but I was defending myself.”
We blame society, our parents, illness, ignorance, forgetfulness, the devil, or our third grade teacher.
And I don’t know why we work so hard to avoid admitting our guilt.
Christianity is not just a set of guidelines to improve behavior in our society. True Christianity is giving guilty people a fantastic relationship with God.
And it starts with admitting our guilt.
Every possible bad thing I have ever done, wanted to do, imagined doing, or thought about doing is like a wall dividing us from God. In that sense, I understand why we might want to avoid admitting guilt. Being on God’s side is a good thing…
But the way to tear down the wall is NOT to deny the wall is there. The way to tear down the wall is to let the forgiveness of Christ turn the wall to jello.
I don’t need to hide or deny my guilt. Because no matter how big my guilt is, Jesus’ forgiveness is satisfyingly bigger.
And so… I am guilty. But more than that, I am also forgiven.