Fresh Clean Slate

June 1, 2021

So I said, ‘Lord, they know that in every synagogue I imprisoned and beat those who believe on You. And when the blood of Your martyr Stephen was shed, I also was standing by consenting to his death, and guarding the clothes of those who were killing him.’ Then He said to me, ‘Depart, for I will send you far from here to the Gentiles.’ ”

~Acts 22:19‭-‬21~

Paul was telling his testimony to the Jerusalem mob after he had been dragged out of the temple and thrown into chains. He got up in strength by the power of God and spoke concerning the things he once did in the same manner they did to him this day. He did not point fingers and shame them for what had just taken place, instead he used it as an opportunity to talk about the Lord. This scripture explains his conversation with the Lord who came to him warning Paul to leave Jerusalem for they would not receive his testimony. Paul begins to remind Jesus of all that they know he took part in; beating and imprisioning those who believe and standing idly by while Steven was murdered. It is almost as though he was going back to his old sin and Jesus did not for a second acknowledge what Paul was even speaking. Jesus replied by telling Paul to just depart. Jesus was more concerned with sending him somewhere safe then his deep violent sin he once committed. As far as Jesus knew, those sinful acts were long gone. When we come to Jesus and repent, Jesus wipes our slate clean with His Blood. While Paul was reminding himself about the things he once did, Jesus didn't even bat an eye or care to respond to it. Instead He told Paul that He would send him far away.

"Blessed are those whose lawless deeds are forgiven, And whose sins are covered."

(Romans 4:7)

Why do we find ourselves dwelling on our sinful pasts after we come to know Jesus? Why do we allow guilt to arise inside of us? Jesus came to take away the sins of the world; "The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!"

(John 1:29)

When we accept Him into our life, the person we once were has died with Christ. Everything that Paul ever did before He began to serve Jesus was gone. So when Paul began to talk about it, it was almost as if Jesus had no remembrance of it, He only was looking ahead with what Paul needed to do next and He was willing to guide Him there. How much love our Lord has for us to forget our past and give us a new start with Him! How merciful God is to immediately see Jesus in us as we repent and blot out those sins by the Blood of His own Son. Is there things you once did in your past that you are still dwelling on? Are you living in condemnation of yourself when Jesus is saying I do not condemn you anymore?

"There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit." (Romans 8:1)

If we have truely repented and stopped partaking in habitual sin then Jesus says it is gone now. Do not let the devil guilt you into something that is not even there anymore; he likes to lie and remind us of things that do not exist anymore and he loves to make us feel horrible about ourselves. Jesus came to wipe it away and God gave Him to us so that we may be forgiven of all sin; "in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins." (Colossians 1:14)

Jesus cleaned up Paul and used him for His own glory. He can most definitely do it for any of us. We have no need to remember who we once were because then we are remembering our old man. Let us die daily as Paul learned to do. Let us truely receive the forgiveness Christ has given us and begin to forgive ourself. Remember what the Lord says about those who cannot forgive others; "But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses." (Matthew 6:15)

I truely believe this also means forgiveness towards ourself. God loves us enough to gives us a way out of sin, now we can love Him enough to let it go too. It is time to move forward and stop looking back. It is time to stomp the devils reminders and remind ourselves that Christ isn't even thinking about what we once did, He is thinking about what we will do with Him now and He is willing to bring us there safely.

Prayer:

Gracious God, thank you for the forgiveness of my sins and the covering of Your Son's Blood to give me righteousness. I could not earn forgiveness any other way. I renounce any thoughts against myself that do not line up to Your word. Help me to always focus on whats in front of me rather then what used to be. I choose to walk in Your peace and mercy today and I praise You for taking my old self and renewing me into Your image. There is no greater gift then this. Lead me today just as You led Paul. Show me what You need of me Lord, glorify Your holy Name to those who You place next to me. Let them also be reminded of how forgiven they are or can be by Your sacrifice at Calvary. May honor be given to You always, in all that I say and do. In Your Saving Name, for my forgiveness of sin, Jesus Christ. Amen