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Perhaps two polar opposite questions to contemplate and actually answer: 1) How do I handle my incurred guilt? 2) How do I handle when “I have all I need”?

The right answer is to turn to God.  As pastor concluded, “As long as there is breath, there is always opportunity to turn.” 

When I have incurred guilt (objective guilt determined by God according to God) because of my sinful choices, I must turn (repent) to God, humbly confessing my sin, receiving his forgiveness, and walking in the newness of life (faithfulness).

When I have “grazed” and am “full”, when I am “filled” and my “heart is lifted up”, I must continue to turn (depend) to God as the source of all that I need.  He does not bless so that I will wander.  He does not provide so that I would become lazy or ungrateful.  He does not supply so that I would become self-righteous and think I have done well for myself.  He does not save so that I would forget.

When I incur guilt, I am quick to hide, defend, justify, blame, minimize or wallow in self-loathing.  When I do any or all of these things, I am “receiv[ing] the grace of God in vain” (2 Cor. 6:1).  Christ’s death on the cross, his full atonement for my sins, his power to overcome sin is the grace of God given to me.  When I do not quickly confess and repent and renew my trust in Christ’s sacrifice it is a vain (empty and useless) reception of God’s grace.

When I am greatly blessed and provided for by God, and I then slacken in the disciplines of my relationship with him, and forget to trust him, depend on him, thank him, obey him et c., it is a vain (empty and wasteful) reception of God’s grace. 

God provides his grace (when we are guilty in sin and when we are blessed in faithfulness) for our good and his glory.  Whenever we do something counter to his design it only leads to destruction.  Will you pray for me to rightly handle my guilt and my prosperity?  I will be praying for you!