How much guilt from the past do you carry around? Perhaps sins or inadequacies in your character that you feel are much too massive for you to EVER be completely forgiven for. Maybe it is self-loathing due to present circumstances you have allowed. How about self-condemnation for decisions of the past? Many of us carry in our minds so much baggage, a practical ball and chain, through every step we take in this life. Christ didn’t die for our sins so we could continue to beat ourselves over the head every day. When we do this, it is almost as if we are telling Jesus that his sacrifice wasn’t big enough for what we have done. WHAT?!? This just IS NOT true. As a matter of fact it could not be FARTHER from the truth. Jesus led a sinless life, which we are completely incapable of, and CHOSE to be crucified on the cross for OUR sins WHILE he was DENIED and MOCKED! He voluntarily paid the price for our sins so that we could be redeemed!

DROP THE MIC!

Ephesians 4:22-24 You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.

God had a plan to redeem us, Jesus Christ fulfilled this plan. So to be blunt – to continue to carry our burden of sin is just plain ridiculous when God created a way for us to be redeemed! REDEEMED! We are a NEW creation in God’s eyes! If you feel so utterly convicted of your sin that you carry it around with you every place you go, through every decision, every relationship, every circumstance, etc. then it is way past time to quit carrying it and repent of it instead. Cry out to God and tell him how regretful you are for your part of the sin and then release it to God. Jesus died for it, he OWNS your sin NOW. Those sins don’t even BELONG to you anymore! Walk away and be free once and for all. You serve a God that is just that mighty!

Isaiah 44:22 I have swept away your offenses like a cloud, your sins like the morning mist. Return to me, for I have redeemed you.

Such a beautiful vision to have all of our offenses swept away like a cloud in the wind and our sins seemingly vanish just like the mist. It seems so easy and yet truly unfathomable. How could this be? The answer is very simple, because Jesus loves you! He loves you this much that he wants you to live the life he created you for to the very fullest, which doesn’t include dragging around your less than Christ-like behavior of the past. REPENT and BE FREE! Confess your sins and be forgiven!

Acts 3:19 Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord.

Pretty straight forward direction here…

*Repent

*Turn to God (so that your sins may be wiped out)

*Be refreshed by the Lord

So what are you waiting for? There is no time to delay. Don’t waste another SECOND in bondage! For we are redeemed through the blood of Jesus Christ!

Psalms 130:7 Israel, put your hope in the Lord, for with the Lord is unfailing love and with him is full redemption.