It’s hard to believe that there are people in this day and age who haven’t quite grasped the concept of the internet. People who post things online that are unkind or deemed as misinformation think that by simply pressing “delete” the offense is gone and forgotten. Not so with the internet. Delete works fine in the moment, but screen shots are forever!
It can be tempting to argue that God is like a screen shot – in the fact that he never forgets our sins or transgressions. In truth, it is only we humans who hold onto past sins, failures and mistakes. We can ask God to forgive us, yet somehow if we feel our sin is particularly egregious, WE THINK that God will expect us to keep paying for that failure over and over again. Nothing could be farther from the truth!
When we don’t feel forgiven – we continually ask God for forgiveness. We become someone who hasn’t fully grasped that when we confess – God INSTANTLY forgives.
The Bible tells us in Psalm 102:12: “As far as the east is from the west, So far has He removed our transgressions from us.” (NKJV)
It’s not uncommon that women especially have a tendency to struggle with this Biblical truth. I can nurse my guilt and shame like I am training for an Olympic event. It likely goes all the way back to The Garden when our Matriarchal ancestor, Eve, sinned by eating that which she was instructed not to eat.
“For as he thinks in his heart, so is he.” Proverbs 23:7
Perhaps this verse should say: As a Woman thinketh, so is she.
We are just beginning a brand-new year. Rather than wasting any more precious time hashing over the mistakes, shame or guilt about things that happened last year – STOP! REPENT and TRUST that IF we have confessed last year’s sins – we can move forward in this new year unburdened by guilt.
Let this be a year to work towards becoming more like Jesus and walk in the fullness of his mercy, grace and FOREGIVENESS – even if you don’t feel like it.
If you are struggling with feeling forgiven – don’t listen to your feelings. They lie! But don’t take my word for it. When in doubt – trust *GOD’S Word(s):
“I, even I, am He who blots out your transgressions for My own sake;
And I will not remember your sins. Isiah 43:25
For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their lawless deeds I will remember no more.” Hebrews 8:12
Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out,” Acts 3:19
“He will again have compassion on us, And will subdue our iniquities. You will cast all our sins Into the depths of the sea.”
Micah 7:19
“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:9
Trust in the Lord and remember … there is a happy YOU near!
*All Scriptures copied from the NKJV.
Amen!