A Sinful Past--A Hopeful Future

It was revealed to me recently by God that someone I know very closely is harboring guilt over a sin that was committed many years ago. This person is sure that the current state of life is a direct result of the sin that was committed, and ultimately confessed and forgiven by God...many years ago. So today, I would like to say a word about self-condemnation, apart from God's own judgment, that holds many Christians captive by the enemy. I will be the first to admit that I have suffered from recurring thoughts and memories over sins I have committed that have long been washed away in the blood of Jesus. I feel sorry that I keep bringing them to mind, knowing that my gracious Lord has already CHOSEN to forget them. This is yet another tactic of our great enemy Satan to keep Christians from growing and flourishing in their walks with Christ. If he can convince them that they are not really forgiven, and their current situation in life is because of their past sin, he can keep them from moving forward...they remain in captivity. This is why knowing the truth of God's forgiveness is crucially important to a growing walk with Christ. In this person's case, the sin committed was adultery and subsequently divorce. It is the belief of this person that all the suffering henceforth has been because of this sinful action. I have no knowledge of this being truth, except that God revealed it to me by His Spirit. I am sharing it openly without any specifics because the truth of the situation applies to many different people who might be reading this blog. Let me make my case that this person is indeed forgiven, and the current suffering that is being endured (and has been already) is simply a result of others needing to come to Christ, not a lifelong curse for disobedience, although it has spurred this person to walk away from the goodness of God's Word, and from His presence and continue to sin, which IS a reason for the current tribulations that are being faced. If this person would be able to let go of the sins that God has already forgiven, and move forward in his/her walk with Christ, then the peace and blessings of God would follow. The tide would turn, and this person would begin to experience God's Presence, his favor, and begin to know the ultimate plan for his/her life.



Does it seem as though I am talking directly to you? God is. He is telling you to let go of the past, and look forward, confess your sins since that day, and receive the love and forgiveness of God. Seek out His Word and His Presence, and go back to fellowship with other believers that you so desperately long for. The rest of all part of God's plan to bring others to repentance and salvation around you....let God handle that. Pray.



Read Psalm 51 and PRAY (read aloud) it back to God. Believe when you are done praying that God has forgiven you, and watch what he begins to do in your life. This prayer is in regards to the current sin in your life, for neglecting to remain in God's Word and in a relationship with Him, and for allowing the worries of the world to overtake you. The sin you committed long ago has long been forgotten by God. Do not allow it to hinder you anymore. Tell the devil "I rebuke you in the name of Jesus for trying to keep me from Him."



Here are some scriptures for encouragement:



Ephesians 5:5-15 (NKJV):



"For this you know, that no fornicator, unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. Therefore do not be partakers with them. For you were once in darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light (for the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness, righteousness, and truth), finding out what is acceptable to the Lord. And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them. For it is shameful even to speak of those things which are done by them in secret. But all things that are exposed are made manifest by the light, for whatever makes manifest is light. Therefore, he says: 'Awake, you who sleep, Arise from the dead, And Christ will give you light.' See then you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise."



I encourage you all today to stop looking to past, and stop allowing the enemy who wants to destroy you to weigh you down with guilt over sins in the past that have been confessed, and forgiven! If you have not confessed your sins, you need to admit you have sinned to God, ask for His forgiveness, and possibly ask Christ to be your Lord and Savior, if you never have.



The Word of God says:

Psalm 103:12 (NKJV):

"As far as the east is from the west, So far has he removed our transgressions from us."

Isaiah 43:18 (NKJV):

"Do not remember the former things, Nor consider the things of old. Behold I will do a new thing; Now it will spring forth; Shall you know it? I will even make a road in the wilderness And rivers in the desert."

God is simply telling us to not focus too much on what is behind us, but to look toward what He will do today and tomorrow. We can be thankful for the forgiveness and mercy He has extended to us, and even share it with others, but we should not be so focused on the past that we do not move forward in our walk with Him. He is also showing in this scripture how He will make a way out of any place or situation, like making a road in the wilderness or a river in the desert. He will lead us home from wherever we are lost! In the scriptures, Jesus told a Parable of the Lost Sheep, and this is what it said:

Luke 15:4-7 (NKJV):

"What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he loses one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness, and go after the one which is lost until he finds it? And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and neighbors, saying to them 'Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep which was lost!' I say to you that likewise there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine just persons who need no repentance."

The man is Jesus, and we are the sheep. When we are lost, and then found because we repent, there is JOY in heaven over our return. Amazing. I thank God today for his great mercy and compassion on those of us who have been lost, and returned to His loving arms. I thank Him that He is still seeking out those who are still lost and wandering hopelessly. I pray that He take away deception in the lives of these readers, and that He open their eyes to whether they are in Him, or lost. I pray that each of you would examine yourselves, to know if you are in the faith, and I pray for your repentance and salvation if you are not. God will accept you whether it is your first time admitting your sin, or your millionth time. If you have been lost, God will rejoice when you return to Him. So go home into the arms of the loving God today, just tell Him that you are sorry and turn from your sin, accepting His forgiveness! I pray for peace in each of your lives by the precious name of Jesus, Amen.

Redeemed from a sinful past,

Sarah