www.arky.org	ARKY CC Editorials	©Feb 2000

Guilt Free
by Ronnie E. Cooper

Think with me for a moment about guilt. How can anyone NOT be called guilty? Of course, you must be charged with an offense first and some motives, circumstances, witnesses, and other evidences or alibis investigated. Most of all there must have been a crime against someone or something. There must be a law before there is a lawbreaker. Then it is possible to be found guilty or innocent.

There are four, or perhaps five, ways I know to be found not guilty.

One way is to be lawless. All things are right. There is no wrong. There are no blessings for others, only for ourselves. We do what seems right in our own eyes. This is the motivation for the humanist worldview, justified by macro evolution (from molecules to man).

Another is to be exonerated, after being found guilty, falsely. This many times happens after the penalties have been paid by the accused. It is still good to be found not guilty. Someone or something else was the real guilty party or at least paid the price.

To be declared innocent of an offense, as in a legal trial, by a judge or jury or perhaps by the offended party is another way. Someone or something else was the real guilty party or at least the evidence did not support the charged crime.

Sometimes forgiveness accompanies the declaration of innocence. Forgiveness cannot be truly given without also giving a declaration of innocence. We cannot be forgiven, if we are constantly remembered for our guilty deeds. A pardon is mandatory. This is the essence of Christianity. For by one man Sin entered the world and by one man, Christ Jesus, is forgiveness made available.

Another is to never break a law. To be free from guilt, never give offense or wrong another. Such perfection, given the multitude of existing laws, is impossible. It has been shown that even with only 10 commandments perfection is impossible for mankind. Even for Adam it was impossible with only one law to be perfect. Yet, it is still worth the efforts. The rewards, for obeying good laws, extend well beyond the individual. Everyone is blessed by righteousness. And best of all, it only takes one person to start it all.

The summary of all this is brutally simple. If there is no God in heaven, we are our own gods, and are all guilty according to our own laws, for the lawless are all condemned eventually. There is no hope for these. If there is a God in heaven, then it is by His law we are found guilty of Sin or innocent of Sin and by none other. By His law we have all been found guilty. If we are not pardoned, we are condemned. To be found not guilty is not to be also found innocent or guilt-free. These are things of the heart and soul. Only the Creator can create a clean heart in man. He also offers forgiveness and a new start.

Just as the Bible says God created us, so it says He is willing and able to save us from our guilt, if we believe the Creator God. Our designer and maker, then becomes our Savior and Lord. By His Words we are saved from our Sin or condemned. It’s our choice, but it’s His Word, starting in Genesis!