Christians Can Claim Victory Over Past Mistakes

Many times we as Christians may ask ourselves, “Have I sinned beyond God’s grace to be forgiven?” “Can God still use me to effectively spread His message?” “Because of past mistakes, is it possible that God has turned His back on me?”

Questions like these are asked by God’s children every day. Do not despair; God is gracious, kind, patient, and loves you infinitely more than we can humanly realize. Our hope is found in His Son, and our Lord and Savior, Christ Jesus.

Let us turn to the Book of Luke. We instantly find a story of both failure and hope. Peter wept bitterly after realizing that he had denied his Lord, Jesus. Although Peter had said he would never deny Christ.

“Peter said to Him, Even if I must die with You, I will not deny or disown You! And all the disciples said the same thing” (Matthew 26:35).

You see, Peter, one of Jesus’ closest disciples went against all he had boldly promised to Jesus in a face-to-face conversation.

“Then a servant girl, seeing him (Peter) as he sat in the firelight and gazing [intently] at him, said, This man too was with Him. But he denied it and said, Woman, I do not know Him! And a little later someone else saw him and said, You are one of them also. But Peter said, Man, I am not! And when about an hour more had elapsed, still another emphatically insisted, It is the truth that this man also was with Him, for he too is a Galilean! But Peter said, Man, I do not know what you are talking about. And instantly, while he was still speaking, the cock crowed” (Luke 22:56-60).

Many Christians today feel that due to past mistakes in their life they too have let Jesus down, and that they will never be used by God again. This is NOT the case!  After Peter’s failure (mistake), he learned much that would help him in the leadership responsibilities he soon would assume.  Thanks to the power and forgiving love of Christ, so can you.

The apostle Paul explained to Timothy that he himself was the “Chief of Sinners,” yet Paul went on to fulfill God’s purpose for his life. In Romans 7:14-25, Paul teaches us about struggling with sin, and how we may call upon Jesus to reconcile our past and even future mistakes before God. We are totally and perfectly justified by the blood Christ. God loves you immeasurably; for it is He who created you.

Know this, the devil is a cunning liar. He will do everything he can to make you feel as though your past mistakes have separated you from God forever. He will attempt to plant seeds of doubt in your heart in an all out effort to lead you into his trap of dark despair. In Jesus’ name, you can stand strong against the devil’s deceit by knowing that our God is our heavenly Father of second chances. By faith, you can know that God is for you, and no one can ever come against you.

“What then shall we say to [all] this? If God is for us, who [can be] against us? [Who can be our foe, if God is on our side?]“  (Romans 8:28-31).

Whenever you may feel as though God has abandoned you because of past mistakes, or sinful behavior, know by faith, “God will never leave you, nor ever forsake you” (Hebrews 13:5). Remember, we are not saved by our good works, but for good works. We are freely saved and forgiven by God’s glorious grace and tender mercies. Jesus is with us always, even to the end of the world (Matthew 28:20).

“By grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works” (Ephesians 2:8-9).

When we approach our heavenly Father with a repentant heart, He will graciously forgive us all our sins,  never to be remembered again.  Therefore, the only time your past mistakes (sins) are remembered, is if and when you bring them up. God has cast them away forever; by faith, so should you.

“For as the heavens are high above the earth, so great are His mercy and loving-kindness toward those who reverently and worshipfully fear Him. As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us” (Psalm 103:11-12).

I would encourage you to forgive yourself as you have been perfectly forgiven by God. You can wholeheartedly believe by faith that God has an excellent plan for you; regardless whether you feel that or not. God is faithful and for us; place every aspect of your future in Him. Trust God to give you His peace and rest. Pray fervently, wait patiently, and God will restore your every mistake into His perfect will for your life (Romans 12:2).

May almighty God be with you always,

Tony

Tony Marino
Founder, Executive Publisher
Christian Times Online
http://www.ChristianTimesOnline.com