Romans 4:7-8 (TPT)
Here’s what David says: What happy fulfillment is ahead for those whose rebellion has been forgiven and whose sins are covered by the blood. What happy progress comes to them when they hear the Lord speak over them, “I will never hold your sins against you!”
Once you repent of your sins and accept the amazing grace of God, God no longer holds your past sinful actions against you. Instead, He views you through a new lens.
Before you accept Christ as your Savior, your sinful nature naturally separates you from God. However, once you’ve made the decision to turn from your sin, you enter into an eternal relationship with God.
God’s forgiveness is easy to obtain. All you have to do is ask for it. John, the beloved disciple worded it like this:
1 John 1:9 (TPT)
But if we freely admit our sins when his light uncovers them, he will be faithful to forgive us every time. God is just to forgive our sins because of Christ, and he will continue to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
Isn’t it remarkable to know that in order to be granted forgiveness from God, all you have to do is ask? The King of Kings is literally waiting for us to ask Him to forgive us.
At that point, He forgives us and continues to cleanse us from our unrighteousness! However, forgiving yourself can be much harder.
In order to embrace God’s forgiveness and forgive yourself, you have to see yourself the way that God sees you. That requires a shift in our own perspective, as we are naturally inclined to view ourselves in the light of our past actions.
However, Paul worded it like this:
2 Corinthians 5:17 (TPT)
Now, if anyone is enfolded into Christ, he has become an entirely new person. All that is related to the old order has vanished. Behold, everything is fresh and new.
According to Scripture, when you accept Christ as your Savior, everything that you used to be vanishes. It’s gone! The term “repent” is an ancient military term. It means to turn around and begin marching in the other direction. When we accept God’s free gift of salvation, that’s exactly what we do.
Your decision to ask Christ into your heart means that the things you used to do and the person you used to be no longer exist. Instead, they have been deleted from your record, never to be remembered again.
When you understand how God’s forgiveness provides a restart for your life. To embrace God’s forgiveness, commit yourself to no longer thinking about yourself in the light of your past deeds. Instead, see yourself through the sacrifice that Christ made at Calvary.
A Closing Prayer:
God, help me to fully forgive myself for my own past. I know that You have forgiven me and I am a new creation in You. Remind me of that fact when I begin to experience guilt and shame. In Christ’s name, Amen.