Guilt and Freedom

READ: PSALM 32; 1 JOHN 1:8-2:2

Weighed down By a wrong I should not have done Trying to hide it Hoping no one will ever know Guilt eating me Guilt over secrets on top of the wrong Can’t go on like this Spending my life lying is no way to live I let You in God, I’ll share my secret with You This is what I’ve done I’m sorry and I want to move on Released from the shame I feel free to go forward with life now Freedom from guilt I have my sins forgiven and I am alive • Emily Acker

• Keeping our sins a secret and hiding the wrong things we’ve done can be hard on us. In Psalm 32, how did David feel when he tried to hide his sin? How did he feel after confessing it?

• Through Jesus, God has made the way for us to be forgiven. Because Jesus died on the cross and rose from the grave, everyone who has put their trust in Jesus is totally forgiven from all their sins—past, present, and future! Yet, as Christians, we will continue to struggle with sin until Jesus returns and makes all things new. Whenever we sin, God wants us to come to Him and confess what we’ve done. He will reassure us of His love, help us turn away from sin, and help us move forward in loving Him and those around us— this might include confessing our sins to others and making amends. Consider taking a moment to pray, confessing any sins that come to mind, thanking Jesus for His forgiveness, and asking for His guidance in how to move forward.

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:9 (NIV)