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There are some important things we should always remember, but there are an equal number of things that we need to prevent from taking up residence in our minds. Being forgetful is usually viewed as a weakness; however, let’s attempt to be forgetful as it relates to some very important truths.
#1 Our confessed past is history. God’s Word tells us that, “If we confess our sin, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sin, and cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9). Simply put, when we take our past to God He wipes away the sin contained therein. To be truly forgiven means there is no longer a record of wrong – it has been erased – permanently! So the question remains: If God has forgiven should we not then move on and leave it behind ourselves? The answer is a resounding “Yes!” Don’t allow the devil to throw your past in your face if you’ve taken it to God for forgiveness. It’s history.
#2 Past failures of others are history. To the same degree that God forgives our past and removes its stain, He has called us to extend grace to others. “Forgive others even as God, for Christ’s sake, has forgiven you.” How much have you been forgiven by God? Answer that question and you immediately have your measuring cup for handing out forgiveness to others. Don’t ever let yourself get caught throwing someone’s past in their face if God has already dealt with it! What God has buried in “the depths of the sea” and “removed as far as the east is from the west” was intended to be left alone. Leave the skeletons in the closet and move on – God has.
There are other truths that we could dive into, but I want to keep these truths short and simple, so today I challenge you to be a person of grace – both to yourself and to others. The issue is simple: If God has forgiven us, we have no right to refuse to. And if there are areas of your own life that you haven’t yet given over to the forgiving hands of God, stop carrying it around needlessly. God waits to clean it up, dress your wounds, and help you begin your journey to healing.
And if you’ve never accepted God’s gift of salvation, you can begin an equally amazing journey. The aforementioned forgiveness and grace are part of your journey to the cross where Jesus died. God forgives our sins and offers grace through Jesus’ sacrificial death. Surrendering your life to Jesus and accepting his no-strings-attached, no-need-to-work-for-it salvation will be the best decision of your life. Seek him today. He’s waiting for your answer to his call.
Copyright © 2021 by Blake Martin @https://pastorblakeman.wordpress.com/2011/09/13/things-to-forget/ No part of this article may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from Lifeword.org.