What God Says About Guilt And Forgiveness. Part [14] 01/06/2026 (Morning thought)

Acts 9:14 And here he hath authority from the chief priests to bind all that call on thy name. 15 But the Lord said unto him, go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel.

Acts 9:20 And straightway he preached Christ in the synagogues, that he is the Son of God. 21 But all that heard him were amazed, and said; Is not this he that destroyed them which called on this name in Jerusalem, and came hither for that intent, that he might bring them bound unto the chief priests? 26 And when Saul was come to Jerusalem, he tried to join himself to the disciples: but they were all afraid of him, and believed not that he was a disciple.

When dealing with issues of guilt and forgiveness, God does not focus on the guilt part but rather on the restoration, by which persons could be trusted once more and given a place among kings or angels. It is because of this why He bids us follow His lead, so that wherever forgiveness becomes warranted, we will focus on the restoration, instead of dwelling on the wrongs that were done to us.

Acts 9:27 But Barnabas took him, and brought him to the apostles, and declared unto them how he had seen the Lord in the way, and that he had spoken to him, and how he had preached boldly at Damascus in the name of Jesus. As we face a new year, let us try by the grace of God to bury the hatchet, and forgive one another, as God does, for it is His will that we would follow Him by precept and example. We therefore end with a passage of scripture that will enable us to do so, if we try, and as we do, let us never forget that, were it not for The Lord’s grace, and mercy none would be alive today.

Ephesians 4: 31 Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamor, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice. 32 And be you kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.

May The Lord add His blessing to the study of His word. God bless!

What God Says About Guilt And Forgiveness. Part [13] 01/06/2026 (Evening thought)

Acts 9:10 And there was a certain disciple at Damascus, named Ananias; and to him said the Lord in a vision, Ananias. And he said, Behold, I am here, Lord. 11 And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the street which is called Straight, and enquire in the house of Judas for one called Saul, of Tarsus: for, behold, he prays.

If a real change of heart has taken place, people will come to know over a period of time, that there has been a great change since you were born, of God. So, there must be some give and take on the part of the forgiven, and the forgiver. As time goes by, the forgiver should relax their scrutiny if they are prone to do so, for there is no need to check cell-phones in the dead of night and smell clothing like Isaac, if you see that God is indeed working on the forgiven one.

In fact, at some point in time, God instructs that the full restoration of trust be made because confidence breeds more confidence, and trust will breed more trust. When God forgives, He gives us a place in His kingdom where folks are given many opportunities to practice truth. At some point in time, after being forgiven by God, the apostle Paul must be trusted, without the saints having to look over their shoulders.

Yes, it is true that he previously hunted down Christians, and yes, he caused much fear and panic in the early church. But if God has forgiven him, and now he is speaking in tongues, preaching the gospel of Christ, returning his tithes and offerings and doing missionary work each and every day, the saints back then are not to follow Paul around with a camera, and cellphone to doublecheck everything he does, or does not do.

Acts 9:13 Then Ananias answered, Lord, I have heard by many of this man, how much evil he hath done to thy saints at Jerusalem.

May God add His blessing to the study of His word. “Good night” and God bless!