What About Guilt

Peter and Judas are two disciples in the bible that publicly betrayed/denied Jesus. Both were with Jesus in the flesh, both were disciples, both saw all the miracles Christ performed. They both betrayed Christ openly and were both sorry for what they did. I hadn't really thought about it before, but Judas was remorseful too. He admitted he betrayed an innocent man and took the blood money back. It says in Matt 27:3 he was seized with remorse. So was Peter, four verses above in Matt 26:75. Both had so much in common, but one's life ended in death, one in powerful service. So what was different?

Peter truly loved Jesus and accepted His love for him (John 21:15-17). He allowed Christ to forgive him and he did not allow the guilt to overcome him and render him useless in the cause of Chist once he knew he was forgiven and loved. In fact, Peter later became key in the development of the church.

Also of significance, in Acts 1:15-22 while the disciples waited for the Holy Spirit to fall upon them , Peter is leading the discussion on finding the replacement disciple for Judas and talking about his death and betrayal. That takes some confidence! That kind of assurance, to stand before Christ's chosen disciples so shortly after his own denial, can only come by faith and trust in Christ for complete forgivness and restoration. And note the disciples accepted him as well.

Judas did not know the love of Christ. His guilt overcame him and paralyzed him. He could not overcome it. We can do the same with our guilt if we don't repent and fully let Christ's love heal it. We can be paralyzed by it and so insecure in it that we no longer believe we can serve Christ, and as a result we live in defeat.

By Peter's example, it is possible to let Christ wash over our shortcomings and our guilt and by the power of Christ live in full and powerful service to Him, even after betrayal and sin against the Lord. Something else to consider, if one of our brothers or sisters fall, we can't discount their service after being repentant, just as the disciples didn't discount Peter. Guilt is a powerful enemy but it can be overcome by a repentant heart that loves Jesus and accepts His love and forgiveness.