How Do You Respond to the Cross? Rejection, Remorse, or RepentanceSample

Day 2 – Remorse

Remorse means to feel guilty and sorry for one’s actions without necessarily taking the steps to correct them. A lot of people experience remorse when they hear the word of God, whether in the form of a short video, Bible verse, article, or a sermon. They may feel convicted of their sin, but instead of drawing closer to God, the devil uses this guilt to create condemnation, pushing them further away from God. Let’s see an example from the Bible of Jesus’ disciple, Judas (Matthew 27:3-5)
"When Judas, who had betrayed him, saw that Jesus was condemned, he was seized with remorse and returned the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and the elders…So Judas threw the money into the temple and left. Then he went away and hanged himself”

Judas experienced deep guilt for his actions of betraying Jesus, but instead of seeking God's forgiveness and restoration, his remorse led him to self-destruction, ultimately resulting in his decision to take his own life. Think about how often we say, "I shouldn’t have done that," or "I feel terrible about my actions". Perhaps you got extremely angry at a loved one, lost your patience, fell into temptation, or disobeyed God, yet you never took the next step to make things right.

Personally, as I continue to grow in my spiritual life, I constantly feel the Holy Spirit urging me to do the right thing, especially when I am in the wrong. However, many people choose to ignore that conviction due to their ego. They may also avoid conversations about God altogether because they associate the message of the cross with judgment and guilt. The message of the cross is of grace and restoration. God's desire is not for us to remain stuck in guilt, but to come into His presence, confess our sins, and receive His forgiveness. If we don’t take that step, the enemy can turn the conviction into condemnation and push us towards addictions, destructive habits, and even death.

When Judas was condemned by guilt of betrayal, forced by the lies of the enemy, he ran away from God instead of turning back to Him. Remorse is not the end; it should be the first step towards repentance. Whenever you feel remorse about your sins, remember this simple rule: Don't run away from God, run towards Him.

Reflection: Are you feeling remorse about something right now? How will you respond before the enemy uses it against you?

Prayer: Dear Lord, help me not only to feel remorse for my sins but to take action to make things right and run towards you. Help me remember that the cross does not condemn but saves. Amen.