The Problem of Protestant Guilt-by Kevin E. Jesmer 4-3-17
The Problem of Protestant Guilt
By Kevin Jesmer and some input from Facebook friends. 4-3-17
Jesus Is not just “Putting Up “ with us and bearing with us until he takes us to heaven. He loves us to the core and delights in us as his forgiven, beloved children.
Have you ever thought, Jesus forgives me and is taking me to be with him in heaven, but he just doesn’t like me. Well, you are suffering from Protestant guilt
Protestant guilt…, I have been thinking about this. I was a practitioner of Protestant guilt for so long. It is when you are confident of your eternal salvation, because of Jesus’ death on the cross, but you have guilt about not being able to live up to some perceived standards while on earth. It goes like, “God will take you to heaven, but he doesn’t really like you as you live out your life on this earth, and he is constantly bearing with you and forgiving you, but he is not happy with you.” Which is not true. God loves you and delights in you, not based on your performance, but on who you are…His child. Any comments on Protestant guilt. Have you suffered from Protestant guilt?
There are several reasons why we hang onto it. We are actually trying to make our own forgiveness complete, like adding a few fig leaves along with Jesus’ sacrifice. We are trying to prove to others how holy we are. We may also use it as a tool pushing ourselves forward with a little man made guilt. There is the convicting work of the SPIRIT however that is from God. People don’t want to let guilt go because they think they are advocating a free for all for sin, but that is not trusting Jesus and his power to shepherd. It is also paternalistic.
Some answers from Facebook friends.
- Oh yes. To the core. To reconcile the great love and my inability to act on it consistently. ..Jim D.
- It’s definitely possible for someone who has a notional or intellectual knowledge that God loves him to still have habits of behaviour and emotion and choice that operate on a different foundation. I.e., a foundation of fear that God has no gentleness or compassion toward us, or that he takes no pleasure in our imperfect works, or that he loves us prior to our doing anything good. I’ve felt that at times, though my fears often are about other things, like suffering shame from men. But I think there have been points in my life where my main motivation to do spiritual disciplines was something like “God commanded it and he will be angry if I don’t do it”, with no other thought to God’s prior love for me, or his grace towards me, or that such disciplines were actually for my joy, etc. choice that operate on a different foundation. I.e., a foundation of fear that God has no gentleness or compassion toward us, or that he takes no pleasure in our imperfect works, or that he loves us prior to our doing anything good. I’ve felt that at times, though my fears often are about other things, like suffering shame from men. But I think there have been points in my life where my main motivation to do spiritual disciplines was something like “God commanded it and he will be angry if I don’t do it”, with no other thought to God’s prior love for me, or his grace towards me, or that such disciplines were actually for my joy, etc.- Andrew F.
- Sorry no guilt here, except maybe a little guilt because I don’t feel any guilt. . I was 5 when I first heard the story of the cross & asked Jesus into my heart & life. He never left. Once I learned what Jesus did for us I’ve always believed I am loved & forgiven. I know I am saved by Grace & not by works & God knows me inside out & better than I know myself. I just rest in that, ask forgiveness when I screw up, pray for guidance & give Thanks where Thanks is justified. Jesus instructed us to love one another as we love ourselves. I wouldn’t have much love to offer others if I was filled with a guilt that might override my ability to love myself & thus others. I try to live a life that glorifies God.& I’m thankful I learned of His way so early in life. For some reason, lately every Sunday, at the start of services, we’re reminded that we’re all loved & forgiven. Just that. Every single Sunday. Loved & forgiven. All of us. Our Minister is very adamant about that. I sometimes wish I could give this same sense of beloved – of – God self to others &/or the whole world , but I don’t belabor that idea. I believe God works in different ways in each & every one of us. I’m not bigger or wiser or more capable than God, He loves ALL of us & has a far greater capacity to love than I do. So, without guilt, I leave others to journey with Him along their own paths while I remain open to being used as His helpmate or as a conduit to spread His love when He needs me. Peace. – Pat J-S.
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