considered good in life. These innocent people have been abused, neglected, rejected, ridiculed, discouraged and just victimized by various undesirable circumstances. These people have been mistreated beyond their control and the results of it have left them confused, stagnated, in bondage, and in a place of great desperation to be free. These people truly resent the past, and often yearn for an opportunity to turn back the hands of time for a chance at a better outcome. They want even more to erase bad memories and circumstances from their past; and often times they sadly wish that they had never been born. Now that's an unpleasant and sad reality, but it's not the perspective that God wants humanity to have on life. So once again, let's take a moment to consider the past. Are you presently discouraged over your past? Have you ever made a mistake or regret something that you've done or something that someone has done to you? Are there mistakes that you've made that make it hard for you to forgive yourself? And greater than that, do you believe that God won't even forgive you? Are there thoughts and memories of your past hindering progress towards your present and future accomplishments right now? If there is, you don't have to fret anymore because there is good news concerning your past. For you see, according to (Romans 3:23) we all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. Which means that we have fallen short of what is expected and required of us by God, weather intentional or non-intentional. The good news is that God has already covered our shortcomings and sins with the love and blood of His Son Jesus, and it is our faith and belief in Jesus that places us in a constant rightstanding with God no matter how much we fall to our sin nature. But because of God's provision and mercy, let's not take for granted or misunderstand God's grace. For it is surly His desire that we strive to live a life of holiness, and a life that represents and demonstrates the same lifestyle as our example and Savior Jesus Christ. Therefore, when we do fall short, let's be quick to repent with a sincere heart. (1 John 1:9) says that "if we confess our sins to God, that He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness". I must say that's even better news. Now you may be getting a little encouraged to know that you are forgiven, but at the same time you wonder if the person(s) who have wronged you is forgiven, or if they should be forgiven, and the answer is yes. For the same good news that we have received of the Father's love and grace to forgive us can also be applied to anyone with a heart of repentance. Remember we all have fallen short. Therefore, just as God has forgiven us, we must forgive others. And if we don't forgive others God will not forgive us (Matthew 6:15). So choose this day to receive God's forgiveness, to forgive yourself, and to forgive others. Let's live in the freedom that has been bought for us through the blood of Jesus, and take advantage of our liberty in Him, because He has truly set us free. Let this be the very last day that you allow negative people, thoughts, and situations from the past to hinder your tomorrow. Pray and allow the Spirit of God to loose you from all bondage and heal you of your past. Remember, no matter what, God loves us and has sent His son Jesus that we may live life more abundantly and in knowing this, we can stop looking back and eagerly start looking ahead.( Isaiah 38:17) says "Behold for peace, I had great bitterness, but thou hast in loved to my soul delivered it from the pit of corruption for thou hast cast all my sins behind thy back".
Copyright 2006 Montez Dove
All scripture quotations are from the Holy Bible, KJV and used with permission.
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