IT'S MERCY THAT COVERS GUILT

Genesis.3.21 Also for Adam and his wife the LORD God made tunics of skin, and clothed them. (NKJV)

After their act of disobedience, Adam realizes that they were both naked, they made covering using fig leaves and when they heard God coming, they ran to hide.

That was man's attempt to hide his fear and guilt. Yet God saw and found them anyway. The endeavors of man have never been able to cover his guilt.

Isaiah.64.6 We are all infected and impure with sin. When we proudly display our righteous deeds, we find they are but filthy rags. Like autumn leaves, we wither and fall. And our sins, like the wind, sweep us away. (NLT)

Imagine standing before a King with filthy rags for clothing. Or before the great naked. Shameful right? Yes.

Adam's attempt to cover his guilt did nothing. Until, as in our theme scripture, God killed an innocent animal and made tunics of skin, and clothed them. That was mercy. But that didn't deal with the spiritual nakedness of man but was rather a shadow of what salvation would look like.

In the wilderness(Numbers 21), all the Israelites grumbled against Moses, igniting the anger of God. Poisonous snakes killed many. Yet, in His mercy, He told Moses to erect a pole with an image of a snake on it picturing the crucifixion of Christ.

Numbers.21.8 The LORD said to Moses, "Make a snake and put it up on a pole; anyone who is bitten can look at it and live." 

When Christ came, He died such that in Him as our clothing, we are made right with the father. He was innocent, one who knew not sin. The same as the animal that was killed to cloth Adam and Eve, but even beyond, a son of God. 

It's in that sacrifice of mercy and grace that we now stand before God not ashamed of our sin or guilt. 

I have seen many people use good works to try to cover their guilt and shame. Let me tell you, just like fig leaves would dry within a short while, so will your good work. They will serve that purpose for a short while and soon your shame and guilt will catch up with you.

Because since you are sin-infected, you infect everything you do and touch. They remain as filthy rags. You need a pure and uninfected hand to help you out —Christ.

The best way is to find mercy. Find Christ. Be in Him and He in you. And let Him work through you to do the good works.

Hallelujah!