Guilt is heavy. It shrinks our dreams and keeps us from the Spirit-led life Jesus offers. In Luke 7:36–50, a woman with a broken past weeps at Jesus’ feet while a rule-keeping Pharisee looks on. Jesus doesn’t deny her sin—He forgives it. “Your sins are forgiven.” Forgiveness is received, not earned. When we hold on to shame (“I know God forgives me, but I can’t forgive myself”) we act like the cross wasn’t enough. Jesus is enough! Scripture says our sins are removed “as far as the east is from the west” (Psalm 103:12) and that when we confess, He forgives and cleanses us (1 John 1:9). Mark Batterson warns: if our memories aren’t soaked in grace, we stay caged by false guilt and miss future opportunities. The enemy (John 8:44) loves replaying our worst moments; Jesus invites us to bring our sorrow to Him and walk free (2 Corinthians 7:10). To chase the Wild Goose, we must trade the cage of guilt for the grace of Jesus.
