Free! Free at last!

Some of the most interesting sections of the Acts of the Holy Spirit are the sermons given by various apostles. In the thirteenth chapter, St. Peter is giving a defense of the behaviors and beliefs of the early church. Here is one sentence of his sermon:

“Let it be known to you therefore, brothers, that through this man forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you, and by him everyone who believes is freed from everything from which you could not be freed by the law of Moses.” (Acts 13:38-39).

As I have worked with people over the past 40 years one of the greatest quests of these people is freedom, particularly, the freedom from guilt.

There is a long-standing perception that while rules are binding they are also freeing. Rules give you boundaries in which to live. You know what you can and what you cannot do. Rules remove much of the doubt about living. Many people are grateful for rules.

But rules do not take care of the guilt when you violate them. Rules only make you feel worse! What to do?

The proclamation of the Christian message is that you do not need to be a slave of guilt. God is a God of forgiveness. God is a God of boundless grace. Remember when God forgives there are no priors. The slate is wiped clean.

Ron Friesen © 2015