Feeling Haunted by the Past?
Ah, you sneaky devil.
The temptation we feel to worry about the past plays on the thought that, well, … that was me. The keyword phrase to pay attention to, however, is at the end of that last sentence: that was me.
God doesn’t haunt us, he loves us.
Jesus didn’t come to judge the world; he came to save it. (John 12:47).
I write this, and I also struggle to remember this at times, which requires going by faith. Could someone love us so much as to forgive all our sins? Yes, without a single doubt. God wants us… he knows us and loves us. He gave His son for us. Sin that has worked in our life is not who we are. It does not belong.
Have you entrusted your soul to God? Then you know the good news: Your soul has been washed clean by the blood of our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen!
Nevertheless, if you’re feeling haunted by the past, these three questions could help protect your focus:
1. Do I believe the world, or do I believe God? (Who is more powerful?)
2. Did I pray about it?
3. What does the Bible say about it?
Let’s take it right from the Bible
The apostle Paul gives it to us straight:
In the past I spoke against Christ and persecuted him and did all kinds of things to hurt him. But God showed me mercy, because I did not know what I was doing. I did not believe.
But the grace of our Lord was fully given to me, and with that grace came faith and love that are Christ Jesus. What I say is true, and you should fully accept it: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of who I am the worst. But I was given mercy so that in me, the worst of all sinners, Christ Jesus could show that he has patience without limit. (1 Tim 13-16)
Read Romans, read Galatians, read Ephesians, read Corinthians… Matthew, Mark, Luke, John. Read where you feel called to read. It’s all there. Read the Bible.
Listen, there’s nothing–nothing–that can separate you from God’s love.
If you’re feeling confused by what you hear out there in the world, listen to God. He can remind you in his spirit, in his word, in his song. Here’s one for itunes, for example: I am New by Jason Gray.
Verse snippet:
Too long have I lived in the shadows of shame
Believing that there was no way I could change
But the one who is making everything new
Doesn’t see me the way that I do
Who I thought I was
And who I thought I had to be
I had to give them both up
Cause neither were willing
To ever believe
I am not who I was, I’m being remade
I am new
Dead to my sin, I’m coming alive
I am new.
Let’s pray for the spirit to help us walk in the purity of the Lord. He remade us, and we can trust that.
How do you explain to others that you’ve been remade?
Photo Credit. Thank you!