The Gospel's Answer To The "Guilt" Of Sin - Part Two

The Gospel's Answer To The "Guilt" Of Sin - Part Two
(The Remission Of Sins)

In our last lesson we looked primarily at "legal" guilt. But, for many there is also the emotional guilt. But this is really only a side effect of the "legal" guilt of sin. Though it does include some terrible consequences: anxiety, depression, fear, and doubt. "There is no peace, saith the LORD, for the wicked." - Isa 48:22. Some may not experience the emotional consequence of "legal" guilt because they have rejected their conscience to the point of it being "seared" - 1 Ti 1:19-20 "You will be faithful and have a clear conscience. Some people have made a mess of their faith because they didn't listen to their consciences. Two of them are Hymenaeus and Alexander. I have given these men over to the power of Satan, so they will learn not to oppose God."; 4:1-2 "God's Spirit clearly says that in the last days many people will turn from their faith. They will be fooled by evil spirits and by teachings that come from demons. They will also be fooled by the false claims of liars whose consciences have lost all feeling." Such people have "legal guilt", nonetheless!

Yet the gospel of Christ declares that when we obey its commands, then one of the promises we receive is the remission of sins , which effectively deals with the guilt of sin. The blood of Jesus was shed for the remission of our sins - Mt 26:28 "This is my blood, and with it God makes his agreement with you. It will be poured out, so that many people will have their sins forgiven." Remission of sins is to be preached to all nations - Lk 24:45-48 "Then he helped them understand the Scriptures. He told them: The Scriptures say that the Messiah must suffer, then three days later he will rise from death. They also say that all people of every nation must be told in my name to turn to God, in order to be forgiven. So beginning in Jerusalem, you must tell everything that has happened." Peter told people they could receive remission of sins in the name of Jesus, by believing in Jesus - Ac 10:42-43 "God told us to announce clearly to the people that Jesus is the one he has chosen to judge the living and the dead. Every one of the prophets has said that all who have faith in Jesus will have their sins forgiven in his name." By repenting and being baptized in His name - Ac 2:38 "Peter said, "Turn back to God! Be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ, so that your sins will be forgiven. Then you will be given the Holy Spirit."

What does this "remission of sins" involve...? The word remission means "to remit", and involves a dismissal, release. A key synonym often used in some translations is the word "forgiveness". Other terms and metaphors found in the Bible to describe the "remission" of sins:
"taken away" - Jn 1:29; Ro 11:27
"blotted out" - Ac 3:19
"washed away" - Ac 22:16
"covered" - Ro 4:7
"not imputed" - Ro 4:8
"set free" - Ro 6:17-18
"purged" - He 1:3; 2 Pe 1:9
"remembered no more" - He 8:12
All of these signifying the removal of the guilt of sin from the sinner! A legal term used to describe a sinner whose sins have been so forgiven is the word "justified". Which means "not guilty" - 1 Co 6:11 "Some of you used to be like that. But now the name of our Lord Jesus Christ and the power of God's Spirit have washed you and made you holy and acceptable to God."

Not just the removal of "legal guilt", but the removal of "emotional guilt." We can now have a perfect conscience. Something the Old Law could not do! - cf. He 9:8-10 "All of this is the Holy Spirit's way of saying that no one could enter the most holy place while the tent was still the place of worship. This also has a meaning for today. It shows that we cannot make our consciences clear by offering gifts and sacrifices. These rules are merely about such things as eating and drinking and ceremonies for washing ourselves. And rules about physical things will last only until the time comes to change them for something better."; 10:1-4 "The Law of Moses is like a shadow of the good things to come. This shadow isn't the good things themselves, because it cannot free people from sin by the sacrifices that are offered year after year. If there were worshipers who already have their sins washed away and their consciences made clear, there would not be any need to go on offering sacrifices. But the blood of bulls and goats cannot take away sins. It only reminds people of their sins from one year to the next." But by the blood of Christ, it is possible to have this "perfect" conscience - He 9:14 "But Christ was sinless, and he offered himself as an eternal and spiritual sacrifice to God. That's why his blood is much more powerful and makes our consciences clear. Now we can serve the living God and no longer do things that lead to death."; 10:22 "So let's come near God with pure hearts and a confidence that comes from having faith. Let's keep our hearts pure, our consciences free from evil, and our bodies washed with clean water." A perfect conscience in the sense that we have real reasons not to feel guilty for our sins: they are totally forgiven by the blood of Christ! Therefore, there is no need to have fear, doubt, anxiety, or depression over our spiritual condition. Instead, we can have peace and joy through the justification that comes by grace - Ro 5:1-2 "By faith we have been made acceptable to God. And now, because of our Lord Jesus Christ, we live at peace with God. Christ has also introduced us to God's undeserved kindness on which we take our stand. So we are happy, as we look forward to sharing in the glory of God." This is the promise given to those who obey the gospel that effectively deals with the problem of the guilt of sin.Your sins are remitted! You are released from the guilt of your sins! From your legal guilt for breaking God's law. From your emotional guilt burdening your sensitive conscience. Again, how does one receive this promise of "remission of sins"? By obeying the commands of the gospel. Believe in Jesus as the Christ, the Son of God, who died for your sins!

Repent of your sins, deciding in your mind to turn from sin and turn to God. Be baptized into Jesus Christ by the simple act of immersion in water in which by God's grace you are raised to walk in newness of life! Note how the last command (baptism) in particular answers the problem of guilt. First, the legal guilt - Ac 2:38 "Peter said, "Turn back to God! Be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ, so that your sins will be forgiven. Then you will be given the Holy Spirit."; 22:16
"What are you waiting for? Get up! Be baptized, and wash away your sins by praying to the Lord."’ Also, the emotional guilt - 1 Pe 3:20-21 "They had disobeyed God while Noah was building the boat, but God had been patient with them. Eight people went into that boat and were brought safely through the flood. Those flood waters were like baptism that now saves you.

But baptism is more than just washing your body. It means turning to God with a clear conscience, because Jesus Christ was raised from death." (The "answer of a good conscience", or as the NASV puts it, "an appeal to God for a good conscience") Have you accepted the gospel's promise of remission of sins to deal with the guilt of your sins, by submitting to the commands of the gospel...? If you wish to do so please contact me at jnlnewsted@nts-online.net

This study is from The Executable Outlines Series, a collection of sermon outlines and Bible study lessons by Mark A. Copeland . These outlines were developed in the course of my ministry as a preacher of the gospel. Feel free to use them as they are, or adapt them to suit your own personal style. To God be the glory!
The Executable Outlines Series, Copyright © Mark A. Copeland, 2001

God Bless,
Jim Newsted
Shamrock, Tx
The town that turns green for a week every year

Even though you can't see the air, It doesn't stop you from breathing
Even though you can't see God, It doesn't stop you from believing
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~