No More Living in Shame

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Someone needs to know this today.


You are not the sum of your mistakes. Yeah, you messed up. So has every single one of us.  “...for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.” (Romans 3:23-34)


We often continue to deal with the natural consequences, but they don’t define who we are. Stop wasting time lamenting over your mistakes. God has already forgotten them. I know what you're thinking. How can God who knows everything before and after it’s done, forget our sins? 


He chooses to.


Isaiah 43:25 says, “I, even I, am he who blots out your transgressions, for my own sake, and remembers your sins no more.”


Do you know who holds us captive by bringing up our past? The evil one. 


And that other person we keep reminding of how they messed up—He blotted out their sins too. 


When we live inside of guilt and shame, we cannot be all that God has called us to be. When we continue to live with unforgiveness in our hearts, we often become a part of inhibiting others from being who God’s called them to be. It’s the plan of the enemy.


Sometimes I think we feel that if we forgive someone, we are letting them off the hook and that somehow it’s our job to punish and lead them to repentance. Forgiveness is not letting someone off the hook. It allows us to move forward. It is not our job to change anyone. Let God change hearts through the natural consequences of sin. 



The same goes for us. Acknowledge our sin, ask for forgiveness, and move on. I understand there are consequences that may affect some of us for the rest of our lives, but most of us are lamenting over temporary things that are sucking the life out of us. Also, we must stop allowing others to hold us captive in our shame.


A benefit to being a Christ-follower is seen in Romans 8:31. “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death.


Now hold your head up sweet child of God, and walk right into your purpose, knowing you are loved and forgiven.

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