Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead.
Philippians 3:13
The Koinonia Women’s Support Group was invited to attend a virtual book club meeting for the book entitled, “Executing Grace: How the Death Penalty Killed Jesus and Why It’s Killing Us” by Shane Claiborne. It was a very intriguing conversation- full of thought provoking, rich dialogue that really opened the door for communities to take action, start talking, and assisting to be a bigger part of the Body of Christ.
Though the Book club meeting only lasted a little over an hour it ignited flames within many of us on the call. We began talking about how we could be apart of a great mission and what part/role could we play to encourage our fellow brothers and sisters.
I took lots of wisdom nuggets from the conversation, one quote that Pastor Hilary quoted stood out to me.
“Each of us is more than the worst thing we’ve ever done.”
Bryan Stevenson, Just Mercy: A Story of Injustice and Redemption
It was something about that quote that stuck with me like glue. I’ve never watched the movie or read the book Just Mercy but I took the time to go on the website and read a little bit about it. This New York Times Book Review stood out to me as well.
“The message of this book…is that evil can be overcome, a difference can be made. Just mercy will make you upset and it will make you hopeful.”
Ted Conover, The New York Times Book Review
And so as I sat at work last night the words forgiveness, sin, mistakes, sorrow, change, and consequences came to mine. So today with God’s assistance I just want to talk to you briefly about letting the past stay in the past.
Often times when folks have wronged us we say we will forgive but never forget or forgive and forget. Even though those words come out of our mouths, all it takes is one disagreement or heated argument and everything that we supposedly forgave someone for, comes right back up. The mere fact that we mention someone’s past mistakes will tarnish relationships and destroy progress and reestablishing trust.
Have you ever heard the saying once a cheater, always a cheater? If you killed once, you’ll kill twice? If you lied before, how do I know if you are lying now?!
All of these different sayings can really hinder someone from growing and changing for the better.
Think about all of the persons sitting on death row that have been wrongfully accused. Even though they have been exonerated of all charges, some folks only see them as killers, rapists, murderers, etc. even though they were proven to be found innocent in a crime that they never committed or a crime that never happened.
Fortunately we serve a God who loves us unconditionally and who does not hold sin above our heads.
Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander; along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as Christ God forgave you.
Ephesians 4:31-32
Imagine growing up where your family thinks all you do is lie. Maybe you’ve had a bad history of being dishonest and you finally turn over a new leaf. Because of your “track record” it is hard or simply impossible for people to believe you are telling the truth or even have an honest bone in your body. That could be discouraging right?! That could force someone to either pick up old habits or to continue to do the right thing even if folks don’t ever believe you.
That’s a tough spot to be in don’t you think?!!!
Well folks that’s what we do when we doubt a person’s ability to change or we doubt the Christ in them is big enough, strong enough, or cares enough to bring about a positive change. Whether we do this intentionally or not we should reevaluate our actions in order to yield positive results.
God is a merciful God. He allows us the chance to be forgiven of our sins and to be cleansed and renewed. All we must do is confess of our sins and He will forgive us and cleanse.
God wants us to pray and to move on to bigger and better things. He doesn’t want us scorned and bashed for the mistakes we have made in the past. We can achieve great things in Christ once we put our past behind us.
If God can love and forgive so freely, what’s our problem? Shouldn’t we have a loving and forgiving heart as well?
“Forget the former things, do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.
Isaiah 43:18-19
God placed it on my heart to share these scripture and this topic because like Matthew 6:19, if we do not forgive others of their sins, our Father will not forgive your sins.
Today’s topic hits home to me and I pray that it may help you in your lives as well. Whether you are the one being accused or the one doing the accusing, learn to let Go and let God. Learn to not dwell on the past. Learn to move forward without being toxic or bitter. Understand we serve a reconciling God. Learn from your mistakes but don’t hold a person for their discretions because that’s not forgiveness.
Yes that means you’ll have to take risks but isn’t life about taking risks? I’ll end today’s message with Psalm 37:1-6.
Do not fret because of those who are evil or be envious of those who do wrong; for like the grass they will soon wither, like green plants they will soon die away. Trust in the LORD and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture. Take delight in the LORD, and He will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the LORD; trust in Him and He will do this: He will make your righteous reward shine like the dawn, your vindication like the noonday sun.
“Forget the former things, do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.
Isaiah 43:18-19
I used to beat myself up all the time for the things that I have done wrong against God and against myself….I used to ask myself why did you do that? I remember crying and praying and asking God to forgive me. And Oh he did….just for me to mess up again and I would ask him to forgive me. I learned to repent. I remember crying in my closet….thinking….God is looking at me wondering when are you going to stop. And I am just a crying. What I didn’t know back then and I am thankful for know is that I am sorrowful for when I have done wrong and want, no Need forgiveness from my Heavenly Father. I am so grateful to have a spirit of conviction, because there were and are some people out there that can just do sin and are ok with it. I’m not. I want every sin forgiven. I am repenting for every thought that is not like Jesus, every walk, talk, ect. I am going to be ALL the way in with Jesus. And yes, it is hard sometimes to deal with the folks that are known for their lies, thievery, backstabbing, manipulation, ect. Maybe that is what they have been doing all of their lives and that’s all they know. We are supposed to love them anyway even if they may have hurt you. Sometimes we have to love them from a distance and that may hurt them but at least you are loving them. I am dealing with that right now. But I must: “Forget the former things, and not dwell on their past. I look and see the new things that they are doing. Thanks pig nose for this message.
Amen