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Let it Go

    Following Christ means that we are a new creation in Him. The slate is washed clean when we are born again, but that is just the starting place! All of us are being changed into His image as we draw nearer to Him. This process is messy and there are casualties along the way. We still slip up and make mistakes on the life-long journey to perfection in Christ, which ends when we reach Heaven's gates.

2 Corinthians 5:17-18 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation (ESV)

2 Corinthians 3:18 So all of us who have had that veil removed can see and reflect the glory of the Lord. And the Lord--who is the Spirit--makes us more and more like him as we are changed into his glorious image. (NLT)

    Even though we all pretty much know that we will mess up, it doesn't make it easy to reconcile in our own hearts. We remember the things we did before we knew Jesus or even after and it haunts us. Sometimes it's easier to forgive others than it is to forgive yourself. 

    Speaking from my own experiences, it is far easier for me to forgive someone of their wrong against me than it is to forgive myself when I wrong someone I love. I can apologize all day, but sometimes I still feel upset with myself. I cannot believe that I could have hurt someone I love so dearly. I believe a lot of people deal with these types of thoughts and emotions. I'm telling you today to let it go. 

    Holding on to our pasts after we have repented to the Lord (and whoever we owe an apology) and asked for forgiveness is toxic to us. We become crippled by guilt and are unable to grow in the fullness of our callings. Whether we get forgiveness from those around us or not, we have the forgiveness of our God. He is faithful and just to forgive. He died for the sins He already knew we would commit! Why do we insist on holding on to the things God has forgotten about? Why is His forgiveness not enough for us? 

1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (ESV)

Acts 3:19 Repent therefore, and turn again, that your sins may be blotted out (ESV)

    Jesus Himself pleaded to the Father for the forgiveness of those crucifying Him! Unless at some point in your life you deny Him and do not return, He will forgive you of anything. There is nothing you can do that would make Him stop loving you and caring for you. It is His desire that you live in the freedom and fullness of what He died for on the cross. And that does not include living your past mistakes out over and over again. Let it go! Jesus already has.

Luke 23:34 And Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” (ESV)
Romans 8:1 There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. (ESV)

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