In mid-July New England roadsides are lined with day lilies. I cannot tell you how beautiful they are. My vocabulary isn’t expansive enough to describe how they turn mundane old roads into showcases of botanical loveliness. I wish I could import them to all of your roads. I almost suffer from luxury guilt. Please note I said “almost.” I refuse to allow guilt to spoil these days of wonder.
Guilt is one of Satan’s most effective tools. He tempts us to do wrong. We listen to him and do it and then he attacks us for listening to him. At this point I could think of some very bad names to call him. In regard to luxury guilt, he tries to destroy the joy of God’s gifts by making us feel guilty for having something others do not have. When people are the sole survivor of an accident they often suffer survivor guilt. Why should they be the one left?
One of the gifts of God’s grace is to remove from our mental loads all guilt. We have enough responsibility in life just meeting our obligations. We certainly do not need guilt to be piled on top. Jesus said, “Come unto me all you who are heavy laden and I will give you rest.” The way He does that is to lift the heavy burden of guilt. Folks, I don’t care what you have done. Jesus’ message is for you. The only sin Jesus can’t forgive is the one you refuse to confess. The unforgiveable sin of which the Bible speaks is grieving the Holy Spirit. And how do we do that? By not listening to Him when He convicts us of sin.
Written by Roger Bothwell on July 17, 2009
Spring of Life Ministry, PO Box 124, St. Helena, CA 94574
Rogerbothwell.org