Have an ugly past that you’d like to forget? Do those former sins creep in your mind, and you think, “Wow, I can’t believe I did that.” We’ve all been there, but if you consider yourself a follower of Christ, your identity is not in your sin, it’s in your savior. Here are 3 choices to make so your sins don’t haunt you.
CLICK PLAY TO LISTEN: EP 4
Choice #1: Sin or Savior
We all mess up, and we’re on track to go to hell, unless we choose to let Jesus step in and save us. When we openly declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in our hearts that God raised him from the dead, we will be saved (Romans 10:9).
Choice #1 of the 3 choices to make so your sins don’t haunt you: will you choose your sin, or will you choose the savior? It’s a yes/no all in/all out kind of answer. The great news is that when we cross the line of faith and become followers of Christ, we are guaranteed forgiveness of our sins and there is no condemnation for those of us who are in Christ Jesus.
Scripture to Back This Up
Psalm 32:1-2 says, “Oh, what joy for those whose disobedience is forgiven, whose sin is put out of sight! Yes, what joy for those whose record the Lord has cleared of guilt, whose lives are lived in complete honesty!” The very second we became Christians (fancy word, justified), our guilty record was immediately clear.
Psalm 103:12 says, “He has removed our sins as far from us as the east is from the west.” I love this verse! Our sins will never be able to catch up to His forgiveness. It’s actually going the other way. Yay!
1 John 1:9 says, “But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness.” Not a little bit of sin. All of our sin. Yes, we’re still human, and with these dang human bodies, we’ll still sin (ideally not trying to, of course). But, we’ve been forgiven!
Daniel 9:9 says, “But the Lord our God is merciful and forgiving, even though we have rebelled against him.” Even when we sin on purpose and offend Him, He still forgives us. Wow, even on purpose. I have a hard time forgiving when I know it was done on purpose (more on that later).
Isaiah 43:25 says, “I—yes, I alone—will blot out your sins for my own sake and will never think of them again.”
Isaiah 1:18 says, “Come now, let’s settle this,”says the Lord. “Though your sins are like scarlet, I will make them as white as snow. Though they are red like crimson, I will make them as white as wool.” Blotted out, never thought of again, scarlet to snow, red like crimson to white as wool. This is a God who loves you no matter what, and forgives no matter how bad you mess up! Verse after verse in the Bible go on about how forgiving God is to us. We don’t deserve such forgiveness, but He chooses to do so anyway!
Choice #2: Regret or Repent
Choice #2 of the 3 choices to make so your sins don’t haunt you: regret or repent. Let’s travel back in time about 2000 years ago to The Last Supper with Jesus and friends. I’ll be taking points from Luke chapter 22, but there are other places in scripture that tell the story too. On our present day side of this, we know exactly what’s going to happen with the betrayal, but today we’re not talking about Judas. We’re talking about Peter. Here are some quick bullet points:
- Jesus and friends are eating the Passover meal
- Wine, this is my blood. Bread, this is my body. (Jesus)
- Jesus calls out that there’s a betrayer at the table, but no one admits
- Peter and Jesus have a chat, Jesus tells Peter that Peter will deny Him
- Peter’s like, “No way, Jesus! Not me!”
- Jesus is all, “Well cock-a-doodle-doo, Peter, it’s going to happen”
Wouldn’t you know it, Peter ends up denying Christ three times a few hours later! Here’s how it plays out in Luke 22:60-63. Peter had just back to back denied even knowing Jesus, and then this happens:
“60 But Peter said, “Man, I don’t know what you are talking about.” And immediately, while he was still speaking, the rooster crowed. 61 At that moment the Lord turned and looked at Peter. Suddenly, the Lord’s words flashed through Peter’s mind: “Before the rooster crows tomorrow morning, you will deny three times that you even know me.” 62 And Peter left the courtyard, weeping bitterly.”
Luke 22:60-62
Man, what a gut punch. Peter, just some hours before this feels like He is completely allegiant, never doubting his love for Jesus. You may be sitting here thinking, “I can’t believer that Peter, I would never.” First, careful before that rooster crows on you, sis. Second, my heart just breaks for Peter in this moment.
Has something like this ever happened to you? You swear you would never drink again, or do that thing, or hang in the wrong crowd, or gossip, etc… But then what happens? Sin sneaks in, and God looks at us right in the face while our metaphorical rooster crows. Ouch. We can’t hide our sin from God. He sees it all. But God isn’t the “caught ya!” type of guy; He’s the forgiving type.
We’re like Peter in a lot of ways. We mess up big time. When that happens, you have a choice: regret or repent. The moment you crossed the line of faith, all of your sin, past, present, and future are forgiven.
Choice #3: Film or Forgive
Choice #3 of the 3 choices to make so your sins don’t haunt you: film or forgive. You, my fellow believer, have had your sins forgiven. Does this mean you’ll never remember your past sins or how it wrecked you? No, but instead of letting those memories roll like a movie in your mind on repeat, try this: pause and preach the truth to yourself. This scripture from Micah will help you shut down the toxic film session (that you’ve already been forgiven of), and help you get your mind right:
“Where is another God like you, who pardons the guilt of the remnant, overlooking the sins of his special people? You will not stay angry with your people forever, because you delight in showing unfailing love. Once again you will have compassion on us. You will trample our sins under your feet and throw them into the depths of the ocean!”
Micah 7:18-19
If God can forgive you, you can certainly forgive yourself, because you’re not better than He is, so just let that fact sink in for a minute. You get to choose. Are you going to forgive yourself, or are you going to watch film? This goes the same way for when someone sins against you. Are you going to replay that offense over and over in your head, or are you going to forgive, like how God has forgiven you?
Luke 6:37 Do not judge others, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn others, or it will all come back against you. Forgive others, and you will be forgiven. Last week we touched on this a little with our identity as being chosen. When we look through the identity lens of being forgiven, we can know that unforgiveness is like drinking poison and expecting the other person to die. It’s only hurting ourselves.
If you’re stuck on this “forgiving others” step, I encourage you to pray and pour out your heart to God. He can truly do a good work in you, and you’ll come to a place of forgiveness. I can testify to this in my life on multiple accounts, and I’m here to say, He can change your heart. You don’t have to replay film. Instead, repeat forgiveness.
Podcast Recap
I am so thankful my identity is in Christ and that I am forgiven. My sin or the sins of others do not have a say in my eternity. Let’s review our 3 choices to make so your sins don’t haunt you:
- Sin or Savior
- Regret or Repent
- Film or Forgive
If you’re struggling with any of these 3 choices to make so your sins don’t haunt you, I encourage you to pray and talk to God about the specific choice you’re stuck on. You are not alone in this Busy Christian Mom community, so reach out and send a DM.
Scripture Recap
- Psalm 32:1-2
- Psalm 103:12
- 1 John 1:9
- Daniel 9:9
- Isaiah 43:25
- Isaiah 1:18
- Micah 7:18-19
- Luke 6:37
I am the daughter of the King. I am chosen, forgiven, redeemed. I am loved and I belong. I am bold, brave, and strong. I am seen. I’m accepted. I am able. I’m protected. Through Him I can do anything. Because I’m the daughter of the King.
Busy Christian Mom Credo, Brooke Collier
Links from the Show:
- Brooke Collier Instagram
- Busy Christian Mom Etsy Shop
- Identity Crisis Mini Series
