How often do we beat ourselves up about some past sin or hurt that we have done in our lives?
“My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have one who speaks to the Father in our defense – Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.”
1 John 2:1-2
How often do we beat ourselves up about some past sin or hurt that we have done in our lives? Often they even reach as far back as our childhood. It seems that we like to pick at these sore spots in our souls just like we pick at any damaged part of our skin that we have hurt, or put our tongue in a cavity in our teeth just to get the sensation.
Why do we do this? John tells us very clearly that Jesus has atoned for all our sins on the cross. We need to be truly sorry for what we have done and want to repent. Then we can hand over all our burdens to the Lord and in doing so, they become His burden, not ours, and so our lives and our souls are lighter. The Lord will never hold a grudge against us and no matter how much we sin or hurt others we can still receive healing for ourselves just as long as we genuinely want forgiveness. There is no sin too great that will not be forgiven. All we need to do is offer these burdens and sins to the One who washes away all hurts. Once we have repented and given up our burdens to the Lord there is no need for us to dwell over and over on our failures. We have already been forgiven. Thanks be to God!
Almighty God, thank You that You sent Your dear Son to die on the Cross to plead our case. We come before You at this time mindful of the sins that burden us, some recent, some from long ago. We ask that You take these burdens from us and show us how to live the life that You so want us to live, free from guilt and shame. Thank You and Praise You for our forgiveness. Amen.
By Terry Stead
Used by Permission
Further Reading
• How to Experience God’s Love and Forgiveness (3 parts)
• Did You Know that You are Someone Special?
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