RESCUED FROM SIN AND GUILT
Adam and Eve hid from God and covered themselves with leaves after they sinned. However, to cover their nakedness and guilt from sinning, “the LORD God made clothing from animal skins for Adam and his wife” (Genesis 3:21 NLT). Feeling guilty like Adam and Eve, because of his repeated sinning, the apostle Paul, who once was a rabbi, asked, “Who will rescue me from this body that is subject to death?” Paul found the answer in the atoning cross of Jesus Christ–the way the Son of God covers all the sin and guilt of mankind who accept his atonement (Romans 7:24-25; John 3:16).
WHY DO PEOPLE HAVE AN INCLINATION TO SIN UNTIL THEY ARE RESCUED
The biblical Word of God says: “Sin entered the world through one man [Adam], and death through sin, and in this way, death came to all people, because all sinned” (Romans 5:12).
And the Bible tells people: “that ancient serpent, who is called the devil and Satan” tempts people (Revelation 12:9; Matthew 4:1);“but each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death” (James 1:13-15 NIV). Nevertheless, “[God] does not want anyone to be destroyed, but wants everyone to repent” (2 Peter 3:9).
Repentance involves acknowledgement of one’s sin and being willing to stop with God’s help (Romans 3:23; 1 John 1:9).
HOW PEOPLE MIGHT REACT TO SIN AND GUILT PRIOR TO BEING RESCUED.
After disobeying God, some people may react likes Adam and Eve, prior to being rescued from sin. They may feel a need to hide and deny their sense of guilt and nakedness from God, similar to Adam and Eve. After they sinned, they covered themselves and hid, then tried to deny their guilt: Adam blamed his sin on the woman God gave him. The woman blamed the serpent, whom she said deceived her. However, they discovered that there was need to hide. For God already knew about their sins and desired to cover them.
God has told people, like he told Adam and Eve, what is acceptable and unacceptable to God. He has given people consciences that “will either accuse or excuse” their behavior and thinking (Roman 2:15).
When a person’s conscience accuses them, generally they are inclined to feel guilty. Recognizing God’s love and mercy, some may choose to repent and ask God to forgive them (1 John 1:9). Others may deny their guilt and try to cover their sin. Psychologists may call this a defense mechanism of rationalization. But God simply calls it sin—Yet, God is willing to forgive whoever repents and asks his forgiveness.
HOW GOD RESCUES REPENTANT BELIEVERS FROM SIN AND GUILT AND PROBLEMS OF DENIAL.
“He is able to save completely those who come to God through [his Son Jesus Christ], because he always lives to intercede for them” (Hebrews 7:25).
“The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in] Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 6:23).
God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us (Romans 5:8).
Therefore, there is now no condemnation [or guilt] for those who are in Christ Jesus (Romans 8:1).
To help believers who love him obey his commandments, the Lord said: “I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, 17 even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you” (John 14:15-17 ESV).
If we confess our sins [and repent], he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:9; Luke 13:3).
For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life (John 3:16).
