Dear friends,
Acquitted? I think you probably know what it means from a definition standpoint:
- To relieve from a charge of fault or crime; declare not guilty
- To release or discharge (a person) from an obligation.
- To settle or satisfy (a debt, obligation, claim, etc.).
- To free or clear (oneself)
But what about “acquit” from a personal perspective? Are you free and clear? Patty and I read Psalm 38 this morning:
“There is no soundness in my flesh because of Your indignation; there is no health in my bones because of my sin. For my iniquities are gone over my head as a heavy burden they weigh too much for me. My wounds grow foul and fester. Because of my folly . . . . I am full of anxiety because of my sin . . . O my God, do not be far from me! Make haste to help me, O Lord, my salvation!
It appears David needed help from some place other than within in dealing with his sin, iniquities and burdens. They were too much for David to handle on his own. He was full of something that he couldn’t get rid of – anxiety! His heart was burdened with guilt, worry, fear and it affected his health! Are you healthy – body, soul and spirit? If not, why not?
This Sunday we will be examining Matt. 5:17-20 – a difficult passage (at least it has been for me in preparation). The reason is because verse 20 deals with our relationship with God, our eternal destiny and it isn’t always easy to discern exactly what Jesus means!
Jesus said that unless our righteousness surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees, we literally don’t have a chance of getting into heaven. Let’s get real, because in our innermost being, we all struggle at times with guilt, accusations and condemnation. We often assess ourselves in terms of our fulfillment of law – either God’s law, peer group law or our own personal moral code. We, frequently either acquit or condemn ourselves based on our performance.
So is Jesus heaping more guilt on us and adding more hoops to jump through in terms of being “right with God?” If so, how could His message be “good news?” Please come this Sunday to worship the One who can relieve, release and set us free from the performance merry-go-round!
In His solid grip and for His eternal honor,
Glen