Centuries ago, William Wordsworth wrote:
“From the body of ONE GUILTY DEED,
a thousand ghostly fears and haunting thoughts proceed”
According to Associated Press, a new product appeared in the market place in USA. It was a pack of ten brown paper bags.
You ask what is new about a pack of brown paper bags? Well, these carried the title “Disposable Guilt Bags” and were printed with instructions: “Place the bag securely over your mouth. Take a deep breath. Blow all your guilt away. Secure bag. Dispose of bag.”
The bags were priced at $2.50 per pack of ten. The surprising thing is that, according to the Associated Press article, the initial stock of 2500 kits sold out very quickly.
This tells me that a lot of people must have a problem of dealing with guilt, and have a desperate hope that a psychological exercise could be a remedy.
I’m sure many people wish they could dispose of their guilt so easily. However, there is NOTHING on this earth powerful enough in itself to dispose of our guilt. We cannot fix ourselves. We cannot wipe out our guilt. We are doomed.
We are doomed, hopeless, helpless, condemned, without excuse
[Eph 2:2-3]
“BUT GOD, Who is rich in mercy” [Eph 2:4]
The only power that can eliminate guilt is God’s grace and mercy, given through the substitutionary death of Jesus Christ at Calvary.
In Ephesians 1:7 God tells us that we have redemption through the blood of Christ, and forgiveness for our sins, according to the riches and fullness of His grace.
God tells us that when He forgives our sin, He also cleanses us from all unrighteousness [1 John 1:9] and that He remembers our sin NO MORE [Hebrews 10:17]
What makes it possible to be forgiven, to be cleansed, to be healed?
What makes it possible for us to receive new life?
John 3:7
You must be born again
John 3:16
God so loves the world that He gave His only Son, Jesus.
Whoever believes in Him will not perish but have everlasting life.
John 3:36
He who believes on the Son has everlasting life.
He who does NOT believe the Son shall not see life,
but the wrath of God abides on him.
Freedom from guilt is ONLY found in the power of God’s Grace in the Person of Jesus Christ.
Freedom from guilt is ONLY received as a free gift from God. It cannot be earned.
Freedom from guilt is ONLY received through faith in the life, death, burial, resurrection and ascension of Jesus Christ, including His work of bearing your sin and receiving your penalty for sin at Calvary.
MEETING IN THE CLOUDS 
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Angela the guilt bag is a product of a country that has turned away from God. Its people have become so smart that they no longer look to God for answers; they look to themselves. However, I thank God that there are people like you who still believe in the miracle working power of the blood of Jesus Christ.
I would like to quote a verse of a famous song:
“What can wash away my sin? Nothing but the blood of Jesus; What can make me whole again? Nothing but the blood of Jesus.”
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O the immensity of that truth – “Nothing but the blood of Jesus”
I sometimes wonder what would have become of my life had the Lord not intervened in my plans, called me to Himself and changed my life completely!
I think of people who would (even as a joke) use a ‘guilt bag’ and hope for some sort of relief to their conscience. That relief can never be, except by turning to the ONLY One who is able: the One who bore the penalty for our sin. The joy of knowing sins forgiven and completely wiped out is beyond credibility, and yet we rejoice in the REALITY of it.
What an amazing Saviour!
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You have so much wisdom and Biblical knowledge. I like all of the ‘visuals’ on your blog that are so appropriate for the messages you convey. Some may think the guilt bag idea is non-sensical, but they are used in certain ministries. It works like this: bring your own recycled bag or they may have extras. Everything bad or negative in your life is coughed into it, sealed up and tossed away. That means given to God and forgotten. For many going through this action, it works for them! I just described a spiritual ‘deliverance’ technique. Maybe that’s where spiritual baggage comes from! We’ve got to bag it! PTL!
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Thanks for your kind words Shofar.
I think the guilt-bag is nonsensical as far as achieving a real outcome, but in the right perspective it can be the outward sign of an inner action. I have used on a couple occasions, at children’s camps, something similar, where sins/habits are written on a piece of paper and nailed to the cross. Of course, it is very clearly explained that this action does NOT achieve anything, but the application is plainly taught.
We serve an amazing God!
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You’re right about what I call ‘quick fixes’. They may have little or no lasting benefits if we don’t make changes in our attitudes and behavior. So we really need the Word of God to grow our faith and transform our lives. God is Faithful and He will help us!
Liz
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Hi Meeting!! I just wanted to stop by and give you this award. Please come by my blog and check it out. I really like your blog and appreciate you. Thank you, sis.
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Thank you for the honour. I appreciate it, but as you can see, I already have this award. Maybe you can pass it to someone else?
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Thanks much, Dear Angela
I imagine guilt bags work as well as wishing wells…
“What can wash away my sin
Nothing but the blood of Jesus
What can make me whole again?
Nothing but the blood of Jesus”
That’s it … nothing but His sacrifice could have taken it all from me. I like the fact that He doesn’t remember them either. ;-)
Great post and wonderful comments.
Blessings to all
ann
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Wishing wells – good luck charms – they all fit the same category, don’t they? Useless! They are ‘dead’ things which cannot help in any way.
Now, the blood of Jesus, shed for me, to pay the penalty for my sins and to give me His righteousness? THAT is effective! His blood makes me clean and pure – no guilt, no condemnation – and remembered no more by God.
What an amazing Saviour!
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Oh my goodness! Guilt bags?!?!?! Now I know why I do not watch the shopping channels! Oh how my nation needs revival! We perish for lack of knowledge!
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I think most people would think of them as ‘fun’ things – and that is a tragedy in itself. Too many try to lessen the horror of sin, the devil, hell etc by treating them as a joke – but sadly, no matter how much they might laugh, it doesn’t change the facts, and one day they will have to face the reality.
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I never cease to be amazed at how idiotic it is not to forgive ourselves when God has wiped the slate clean upon our confession and our coming under the Blood of Jesus shed on Calvary’s Cross for us! God, who is all-seeing, no longer sees that which we beat ourselves up over! Let us grow spiritually wiser together!
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>> “No longer sees” – How true, and even more, He no longer remembers. If I mention a previous sin to my loving Father, He says “My dear child, you are mistaken. I have NO RECORD of that”
Since HE has no record, I have no right to remember. I am FREE from condemnation and all the guilt associated with it.
What an amazing God!
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Thank you so much for this — a wonderful reminder of God’s infinite mercy.
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Infinite mercy indeed! His love, grace and mercy are beyond measure and limitless to those who turn to Him.
What an amazing God!
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I loved this, Mentor Angela and how because of Jesus, we can all be guilt free. No bags required! And don’t think I missed that , “But God, ” moment either!!! Your posts are dynamic and full of Him and His power and grace. God bless you in wonderful ways! love and prayers!
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Isn’t the whole of life a “but God” moment Deb? So many times each day I say thank You to Him for His intervention. I would be useless without Him.
What an amazing God!
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Great post with a needed reminder. There is no condemnation for those in Christ.
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No condemnation – no guilt – no burden – no shame . . . but abundant blessings received constantly from the hands of a loving Father.
What an amazing God!
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Amen.
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Thanks Wayne. Being free from condemnation and free from guilt is a great blessing.
We serve an amazing God!
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AMEN! When I remember all that He has done for me, shedding His blood on the cross so that I can be freed from my guilt and shame. What a blessing! What a motivation to serve HIm in greater ways. Thanks for the great reminder.
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Yes, Rob, a great motivation. Freedom is such a blessing – not only free from the burden of sin and its penalty, but free from the guilt associated with it and free from the shame, because if God remembers it no more, I have no right to either. And what a motivation that is to “go and sin no more” but to use the resources He has provided to resist temptation.
What an amazing God!
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I’ll order 20 bags. Please have them delivered to “Darn. I did it again.” Make them extra large. This bag is hilarious. I can’t imagine anyone thinking it would work, but you’re right. People try to get rid of guilt in all kinds of stupid ways. We’re all a work in progress. Thanks for the smiles.
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I’m afraid there are many people who treat sin as funny, especially if not found out, but there are also many people who really suffer with a guilt complex. Psychologists would probably say the exercise with the guilt bag would help, but in fact there is NO human way to eradicate guilt.
I am so thankful that my Saviour paid the FULL price for my sin and that it is completely wiped out – no trace of it – and NO guilt either.
What an amazing Redeemer God!
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I’ve not heard of the “guilt bags”…but your post brings to light the common human condition.
Guilt drives people to do any number of things (including outright denial of the existence of sin) in order to alleviate the weight of sin that is crushing the soul.
Because forgiveness and freedom can only be received, it is crucial that we learn to humble ourselves before the Lord and gratefully accept His gift.
Pride is a killer.
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I imagine guilt bags would be sold in discount shops and souvenir shops, much like the bottles of ‘Queensland sunshine’.
I can easily imagine people buying them – some as a joke, but sadly some willing to try anything to rid themselves of guilt: except of course, the one thing that will work.
We serve an amazing God who has provided us with an amazing new life.
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