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Paul did not use the word for "guilt" or "guilty" very much in his letter to the Roman Christians (only in 3:19 and 11:27). This letter is known as Paul's most organized presentation of Christianity. So, if I want to know the place of guilt in the Christian's life, from reading Romans, I will have to do some sleuthing.

I come to Romans 5:13, which I think clearly indicates "guilt." Paul wrote, "Before the law, sin was in the world, but sin is not imputed when there is no law."

Ah, clearly if there is no lawful speed limit, then I cannot be considered guilty for driving at 100 mph. Unless, of course, I have a sense of caution built into my system and I feel guilty for violating that sense of caution. Paul allows for that kind of conscience-living, because of having "the law written in their hearts" (2:14-15).

Now let's return to the idea of "guilt." The word for "imputed" is a legal term which for me clarifies that in Romans 5:13 Paul wrote about "guilt." To paraphrase Paul further than I already did, I would say, "Before the law, sin existed, but guilt does not exist when there is no law."

Ok, all I established so far is that Paul would say that real guilt is tied to law. My next inquiry would take me to "law" to ask, What law? and, What place does law have in the Christian experience?

Next time.