Guilty As Sin

Guilty As Sin

Mark enjoyed helping his daughter memorize her Bible verses for Sunday school every week. As Amanda said this week’s verse, Mark carefully followed along in the Bible.

“‘For whoever keeps the entire law, yet fails in one point, is guilty of breaking it all.’ James 2:10,” Amanda said.

“That’s perfect,” Mark said. “You’ll definitely get points for that one on Sunday.”

Then Amanda asked something that caught Mark off guard. “Am I guilty, Dad?”

“Are you guilty of what?” Mark said.

“Am I guilty of breaking the law?”

Thinking quickly, Mark answered, “Do you always obey our house rules? Do you share and not fight with your brother and friends?”

Mark’s precious ten-year-old scrunched up her face in thought. Then she answered, a little teary eyed, “No.”

“So you are guilty,” Mark said, hugging her. “But you can be forgiven. If you have Jesus in your heart, you’re not guilty anymore.”

Have you ever thought about that verse? Once Amanda understood James 2:10, it hit her that nobody’s good enough to earn his or her way to heaven. Everybody’s made a mistake. And making one mistake means we’re guilty of breaking the whole law.

As scary as that sounds, there’s no need to worry when Jesus is on our side. The Bible says Jesus speaks to the Father in our defense when we sin (see 1 John 2:1). Can you picture that? We’re down here on earth doing something stupid, and Jesus is in front of his Father, saying, “My sacrifice is enough. That little one is forgiven.” Now that’s an awesome God.

Daddy-Daughter Time

Take a few moments to get serious with God. On other days, you’ll be encouraged to go on bike rides or do fun activities. Today, just be still together and think about your gift of salvation. Jesus died so you could be God’s children. Instead of being guilty of breaking the whole law, God sees you as blameless. We deserve condemnation, but we find forgiveness.

Set a timer for three minutes. Bow your heads and pray together, specifically thanking Jesus for his grace and mercy. Admit that you can’t keep his law perfectly. And thank him that you don’t have to because his sacrifice wipes away your guilt.

What’s The Word?

Whoever keeps the entire law, yet fails in one point, is guilty of breaking it all.   James 2:10 (HCSB)