There are two kinds of guilt in the Bible.  There is the feeling of guilt when our conscience condemns us—subjective guilt. There is also guilt for doing something objectively wrong.   This guilt isn’t a feeling; it is a state of being that results from having sinned.   It is the criminal that is pronounced guilty by the judge – objective guilt.  The word “guilt” is found 79 times in the King James Version. Seventy-eight times it refers to objective guilt. Once it refers to someone feeling guilty (Zechariah 11:5).   The Bible uses the word “conscience” in association with the subjective feeling of guilt.  When our conscience accuses us (Romans 2:15), we feel guilty.

The work of Jesus eliminates guilt of both kinds.   First, the offering of Jesus blood eliminates objective guilt for those who believe and obey the gospel. Jesus said, “For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins” (Matthew 26:28).   Peter said to the guilty in Acts 2:38, “Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”   Second, our guilty conscience is also cleansed by Jesus.  Hebrews 9:14 states, “How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?”  This means that holding onto guilt is a choice we make for irrational reasons.  Moreover, guilt prevents us from doing God’s work of evangelizing the lost.  Let go of guilt, and get to work.

If we are feeling guilty about our past forgiven sins, then we are doing so for irrational reasons.   Let’s think about some of those irrational reasons.

First, we may feel guilty due to self-blame.  Some confuse blaming self with taking responsibility.  Self-blame is really a mechanism to excuse oneself from responsibility.  We tell ourselves, “I am guilty of [some wrong],” so I better not do [some right].   After all, I don’t want to be a hypocrite!”  The truth is: you are a hypocrite for doing what is wrong.  To stop being a hypocrite you need to do what is right. Guilt due to self-blame fails to act.   Stop feeling guilty and get to work.

Second, we may feel guilty due to false standards. Those suffering from eating disorders often set up false standards of acceptance.  They feel guilty when they eat because they tell themselves that eating will make them fat, and they will be rejected.   False standards of acceptance are irrational, but it isn’t guilt that is the problem, but the false standard.   Eliminate the false standard, and the guilt will disappear.

Third, we may feel guilty to control others.   Some express feeling guilty to manipulate others to act like they want them to act.   This brings false validation, and means that they don’t value themselves correctly.   Such manipulation is sinful and irrational.   The Christian’s validation and worth comes from Jesus.

The feeling of guilt is an emotion that we control. Others do not make us feel guilty; we make ourselves feel guilty.  We must take ownership of our own behaviors, including our guilt, by handling them correctly through Jesus.  Unbridled guilt robs us of peace, joy, love, and contentment. Trust Jesus, and let go of guilt.

“I’m a member of the church and have been all my adult life. I was wondering how important you think Wednesday night services are? Some people don't think you have to go on Wednesday night, some say when the Bible says not to forsake the assembly, it means Sunday morning.  I believe it’s a direct command to be there every time the doors are open, if at all possible.  Do you think we will be held accountable if we don’t attend on Wednesday night?”

We have to first remember that there is no command requiring that a congregation hold a Bible study on Wednesday night.   Churches are to teach the members, which is implied in Ephesians 4:11 when we are told that one of the roles in the church is that of a teacher.  However, the method of instruction and the time of instruction is not defined. By tradition, churches have held Bible studies on Wednesday nights. It is not a bad tradition; in fact, I think it is a very useful one, but we must not elevate an expedience to fulfilling God's command to teach to the level of a command in and of itself.

Different congregations will select different methods to fulfill the commands that God has given.   For example, I know of congregations who choose to meet once on Sunday...generally, because their members drive long distances or they are in the middle of dairy country where multiple services on one day is rough for the farmers.  I know some who meet twice on Sunday, but Sunday night's gathering is for Bible study.  I know of a congregation that holds Bible studies nearly every night of the week. They ask their members to attend at least one (different topics are offered each night).  All of these methods fulfill the command to the church to teach its members.

So, let's turn the question around a bit.  When a congregation decides to offer instruction to its members on a week night in order to fulfill its duty to teach its members, do the members get to treat that time as optional? Doesn't it seem strange that a church would have a requirement to teach its members, but the members can treat that instruction as optional?

I’ve noticed over the years that lack of attendance is a symptom of serious problems in a person’s life.  You rarely find a strong Christian missing any opportunity to gather with fellow Christians, but you usually find weak Christians absent.  The passage in Hebrews tells us why: “Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the day approaching” (Hebrews 10:23-25).  Strong Christians understand the need for encouragement.  They won’t let an opportunity pass them by to get and receive it.  Weak Christians waver in their hope because they aren’t being strengthened by being with their brethren.  They lack the zeal necessary to finish the race.

Consider the early Christians: “Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.   And they continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers...And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did they eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart” (Acts 2:41-42, 46).  How often did the early Christians get together with their brethren?   How often do we?  Who, then, displays a stronger faith and love for God?

But therein lies the core of the problem.  People are skipping out on opportunities to learn about God and to be with His people.  It is an attitude problem. If the attitude was fixed, the lack of attendance would not be nearly so bad. It is here that I think most of us miss the solution.  We focus on the physical thing that we can see -- not showing up at Bible study -- and completely miss the problem that needs to be fixed.  There is a spiritual problem because love has gone cold.  What is needed is someone to fan the flames...someone to get people excited about being a Christian.

Some of it is the local church’s fault. I've visited a number of congregations whose idea of Bible class is the most boring learning experience I have ever seen. People come out of shear stubbornness and not because they know they will receive benefits from being there that day (or evening).  I’ve seen others, usually involving young people, where the gathering is nothing but fun and games, and no Bible is taught. God’s Word is only mentioned in vague terms. And again, people leave without receiving benefits for being there.  Churches need to get back to their duties. They exist as avenues for people to gather and worship God and to teach God’s people. “But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth” (1 Timothy 3:15).  The church exists to hold up the truth to the world and to support it by the behavior of its members.

Do I think that people won’t make it to heaven because they don’t attend Bible studies?  No. I think that people who don't attend Bible studies won't make it to heaven because they don’t love being a child of God.