Are you tired of being looked at in a certain way? Judged or even tormented for the things you did in the past? Running from your past and even trying to forget about it yourself? Do you want a fresh start? One where you no longer are forced to remember the way things once were? Then turn to God the only one who is able to give you a new life. A life that is far different than the one you have lived up to this point.
No matter what you have done it can be forgiven. No sin is too great to keep you from receiving the forgiveness that God is offering. If you think you have done bad just look at Paul of the Bible. Before he became Paul he was known as Saul. A man who made it his mission to persecute and destroy the early Christian church.
Acts 9:1-2 (ESV)
9 But Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest 2 and asked him for letters to the synagogues at Damascus, so that if he found any belonging to the Way, men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem.
Acts 22:3-4 (ESV)
3 “I am a Jew, born in Tarsus in Cilicia, but brought up in this city, educated at the feet of Gamaliel according to the strict manner of the law of our fathers, being zealous for God as all of you are this day. 4 I persecuted this Way to the death, binding and delivering to prison both men and women,
Paul even referred to himself as the foremost sinner. Yet, God still forgave him for all the sins that were laying in his past. Even using him to take the gospel further than it had ever gone and simultaneously write a large portion of the New Testament. Paul tells us that God did this to show that everyone can be forgiven and start a fresh life free from their past.
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.
Just think that if God was able to forgive someone that went directly against His way and even attacked His people. How much more willing is to forgive you. While many people fail to see it this is the whole reason Jesus comes to earth. The Bible is clear that all people have fallen short of the glory of God. That we are all guilty of sin. Because of this God had to create an opportunity for all people to leave their past ways and turn to righteous. So that everyone could receive salvation and the gift of eternal life. God did it for all the people of the world, not just a select group.
Romans 3:23 (ESV)
23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,
John 3:16 (ESV)
16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.
Even Jesus pointed out that He did not come for those who were righteous. Or those who thought they were righteous. He came for those lost in sin. So He could save them and bring them out of their sinful ways. Into a new fresh life of righteousness.
Mark 2:15-17 (ESV)
15 And as he reclined at table in his house, many tax collectors and sinners were reclining with Jesus and his disciples, for there were many who followed him. 16 And the scribes of the Pharisees, when they saw that he was eating with sinners and tax collectors, said to his disciples, “Why does he eat with tax collectors and sinners?” 17 And when Jesus heard it, he said to them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.”
When you take the fresh life that is being offered to you by God your past is forgotten. God does not just forget what you have done as we may forget, but He chooses to no longer acknowledge anything you did before. In the eyes of God when you are reborn into Christianity it’s like the past never happened. The Bible says your sins have been placed as far as the east is from the west. Making you no longer accountable for anything, and I do mean anything, you have ever done.
Isaiah 43:25 (ESV)
25 “I, I am he
who blots out your transgressions for my own sake,
and I will not remember your sins.
Hebrews 10:17 (ESV)
17 then he adds,
“I will remember their sins and their lawless deeds no more.”
Psalm 103:12 (ESV)
12 as far as the east is from the west,
so far does he remove our transgressions from us.
God wants you to be saved. He does not want anyone to have to take on the punishment of hell. No matter what manner of wickedness lies in their past. The Lord is merciful, willing to forgive any number of sins so that no one must suffer. Don’t believe me? Then just look at what is recorded in the inspired word of God. He tells us himself that He wants all people to be saved and wants them to live a new life free from their past.
1 Timothy 2:4 (ESV)
3 This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, 4 who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.
2 Peter 3:9 (ESV)
9 The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.
God is offering you a fresh chance at life with no string attached. If you want the new life that God is offering then just follow the plan of salvation as it is laid out in scripture. Repent of your sins. By praying and asking God to forgive you. While also deciding in your heart to turn away from your old sinful ways. Choosing instead to follow after the ways of God. Then be baptized in the matchless name of Jesus Christ for the remission of your sins. Then you will receive the gift of the Holy Ghost, God’s Spirit living in you.
Acts 2:38 (ESV)
38 And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
Hopefully, you can see that no matter where you are coming from you can get a fresh start by trying to the Lord. in fact, I must speak to my fellow Christan brothers and sisters who have come here looking for a fresh start even though they have already received salvation. Don’t be discouraged if you find yourself feeling lost or searching for a fresh start as a born again Christian. It is something that happens occasionally to everyone.
The best and really only corse of action is to turn to prayer. Just spend time, real-time not just a couple minutes, talking with God sharing how you feel with Him. Seek His helping hand in your life. Then look at how you have been living and see what you may have allowed in that has caused you to stray from your faith. Even if it something small because as Paul points out there is a lot we can do as followers of Christ. But that does not mean everything builds up our faith.
1 Corinthians 10:23 (ESV)
23 “All things are lawful,” but not all things are helpful. “All things are lawful,” but not all things build up.
And if you have fallen to sin after receiving salvation and need to start fresh because of it. Then turn back to repentance because repenting is not a one-time thing. Nor is our God a God of second chances as many try to say. In reality, we serve a God of endless chances who puts no limit on the forgiveness you can receive. But you must remember that is not an excuse for one to continue sinning and asking for forgiveness. God knows the heart and will judge accordingly. Plus there will be a day when it is to late to ask for forgiveness. So instead of hoping to be forgiven at the last second. Do all you can know to walk in the light and not make a practice of sinning. Restarting with a fresh life today.
1 John 1:5-7 (ESV)
5 This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. 6 If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. 7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin.
1 John 3:6 (ESV)
6 No one who abides in him keeps on sinning; no one who keeps on sinning has either seen him or known him.
So no matter what situation you are in if you need a fresh start it can be had today. And the first step is the same for all people, prayer. Seek the Lord and He will lead you where you need to go. If you have questions about what you have read in this article then please ask us. You can leave a comment below or email us at [email protected]. Someone will get back to you as soon as possible and do all they can to help you.
Did you like the message delivered in this article? Then please help us to get this message in front of more people. So that they too can begin to live a fresh life in Christ no longer bogged down by their past. Do that by simply sharing this article through social media and word of mouth. We want to see the world receive salvation, but we cannot do it without support from others like you. Thank you so much for your support and God Bless!
Visit Justin’s personal website Here. Or see articles from other writers we feature Here. Also, be sure to stop by our prayer wall.