Craig Clouston

Rehashing the Past

I … am he who blots out your transgressions … and remembers your sins no more.
Isaiah 43:25

“But you don’t know what I've done!” Cassandra asserted, sobs wracking her body.
“And I don’t need to,” Julie said. “God isn't as concerned with your past as He is with your today, Cassie. He loves you so much that He’s willing to forgive you of anything if you’ll just bring it to Him. Repentance brings forgiveness. And once God forgives, that sin is gone forever; He refuses to hold it against us.”
“But it can’t be that easy,” she argued. “Not after what I've done.”
As sure as Julie was of the truth, she knew Cassandra couldn't fathom the depth of God’s grace right now. So she said, “The Bible assures us of God’s complete forgiveness, Cassie—an everlasting, unconditional forgiveness that, although we may not understand, is perfect in every way. I've experienced it myself.” And Julie had! What Cassie didn't know was that Julie had once been a working girl. “If I were to let my past rule my today, I’d be telling God He’s incapable of forgiving sin. And that’s not what the Bible says. If we allow Satan and his followers to sell us the lie of unforgiveness, we are walking without faith and hope.”
“But I don’t feel forgiven,” she said.
“Forgiveness isn't about feelings, Cassie. It’s about God redeeming things that are lost: parts of our soul. And it requires taking God at His word.”
“I’d like to do that,” Cassandra said. And with hope in her heart, she confessed her sins, asking God to forgive them.

†

God wants us in the present, ready to do His good will. But if we continue rehashing our past, we can’t join Him, thereby destroying our ability to effectively work in the present for His kingdom.
In Isaiah 43:18 God tells us to, “Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past.” We do well to heed His words.
Forgiveness covers every part of our past; not part, but all. He wants to bring us into the present with that forgiveness. Would you come join Him?

Prayer

“Lord, help me believe that my sins are forgiven. Speak to me in ways I can understand. And help me forgive myself that I might join You in the present. Amen.”