The Bible says that all people have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. No Christian can say that they lived a past without sin. For many, their past sins can haunt them causing them to feel unworthy of God’s grace. Even though they know His word that promises they are forgiven. Still, they do all they can to forget their past sins. In fact, a lot of people believe that they should forget their past sins but that isn’t what scripture teaches. Instead, God’s word teaches we are to accept our past sins knowing that by God’s grace they are no longer counted against us.
In several of His letters, Paul reminded his audience of their sins. Telling them that at one time they were just as lost as those still in the world but that God had changed them. Words that were written under the inspiration of God showing us that God doesn’t want us to lose sight of where we once were.
Ephesians 2:1–5 (ESV)
1 And you were dead in the trespasses and sins 2 in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience— 3 among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind. 4 But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, 5 even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved—
Colossians 2:13 (ESV)
13 And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses,
1 Corinthians 6:9–11 (ESV)
9 Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, 10 nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. 11 And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.
Titus 3:3–5 (ESV)
3 For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures, passing our days in malice and envy, hated by others and hating one another. 4 But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, 5 he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit,
The Apostle Paul never forgot the sins he had committed in his past life either but accepted them. Willing to share his past faults and even refer to himself as the foremost sinner. He accepted the mistakes he had made in the past and left them in the past where they belonged. Not allowing them to come forward and affect his faith in an adverse way. Because he trusted the promises of God that those sins had been washed away. Cast as far as the east is from the west.
1 Corinthians 15:9 (ESV)
9 For I am the least of the apostles, unworthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God.
1 Timothy 1:15–16 (ESV)
15 The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost. 16 But I received mercy for this reason, that in me, as the foremost, Jesus Christ might display his perfect patience as an example to those who were to believe in him for eternal life.
Isaiah 1:18 (ESV)
18 “Come now, let us reason together, says the Lord:
though your sins are like scarlet,
they shall be as white as snow;
though they are red like crimson,
they shall become like wool.
Psalm 103:12 (ESV)
12 as far as the east is from the west,
so far does he remove our transgressions from us.
To God, it is as if those who have received salvation never sinned. No longer are we guilty or held accountable for the actions that lie in our last. But just because God has chosen to forget our sins does not mean we should. We should accept that we once lived a sinful lifestyle and allow those sins to be a constant reminder of where God brought us from. The truth of the matter is that it can be dangerous to forget our past.
If we lose sight of our past it can cause us to view those who are lost incorrectly. Seeing them as awful people and believing we were never like that. Instead of seeing them as people who need God just as much as we did at one time. The sins in our past should cause us to have compassion for the lost because we know what it is like to live without God. Forgetting our sins will only take that compassion and drive to see others saved away.
The very same sins we were once controlled by are the same sins that can cause us to fall again. It’s important that we remember our past areas of struggle so we can make sure we don’t return to them again. As scripture says we need to take head lest we fall. It is easier to return to past sins than many believe especially when you have lost sight of your past life.
1 Corinthians 10:12 (ESV)
12 Therefore let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall.
Not to mention the fact that when we lose sight of our past we will eventually lose sight of God’s saving hand in our life. Those who don’t remember their past sins will begin to believe that they have always been good. Don’t try to forget your sins and in doing so forget how God saved you. The glory is all His because nothing you did gained your salvation. It is only by His grace that you can stand where you are today. A reason you should always thank the Lord for that. Those same verses above that act as a reminder of our past sins also act to remind us of all God did for us. So we will give Him the glory He deserves.
You may believe that the only way you will ever feel better is if you forget all you did before coming to Christ. But all that will do is lead you down a dangerous path away from God. Instead, you need to accept your actions and know that God has cleared you of them all. That no matter how bad you believe you where God has chosen to forgive you and grant you eternal life. No one has sinned so great that God will not forgive them. In fact, God wants to forgive all people and see them accept the truth of the Gospel. The concept that says your past sins will affect your future with God is only a trick the devil uses. In an effort to cause you to question your faith. Don’t give Him the pleasure.
1 Timothy 2:4
4 who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.
Accept your past just like Paul did. Allow your past to always push you forward. Let it cause you to have compassion for others who are still struggling with sins. While always remembering to thank God for the mighty work He has accomplished in your life. Your sinful life is in the past and you are a new creature in Christ. Start living like it today by accepting your sins and living a better life because you always remember the change God has made in your life.
Visit Justin’s personal website Here. Or see articles from other writers we feature Here. Also, be sure to stop by our prayer wall.