“Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” Ephesians 4:32 NIV
Sometimes we are extremely hard on ourselves when we think back on the things that we’ve done, said, or even our thoughts. We begin to behave as if we’ve forgotten that we’ve been forgiven. Worse yet, it happens with others too. When we recall the things that others have done in the past, we can begin to treat others in a way that we shouldn’t (almost as if we are still holding them in bondage for their past sins). Sadly, there are times that we behave as if our brothers and sisters have not been forgiven.
The crazy thing about this mind that God has given us, is that we constantly have the capability to easily remember the good as well as the bad. But we have a responsibility to keep the sins of the past from negatively affecting our future. When we recall bad memories (whether about others or ourselves) we need to ensure that we seek to make them effective toward our current life today as well as our future life tomorrow. A good way to do so is to refer to our past sin as ‘the test’ (whether we had passed or failed it). Once we have acknowledged that it was a test, then we can recall how we overcame it by the Grace of God; which turns that test into a testimony. Those testimonies can effectively be used towards our salvation instead of letting the recollection of our sin cause us to sink into a dark place.
But what if we failed that test? Then we ought to pray and ask God to show us, teach us, and guide us so that we can have a testimony, rather than just the pain of the situation that seems to keep on occurring and we don’t know why.
Psalm 25:4-7 NIV says “Show me your ways, Lord, teach me your paths. Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long. Remember, Lord, your great mercy and love, for they are from of old. Do not remember the sins of my youth and my rebellious ways; according to your love remember me, for you, Lord, are good.”
God has truly been merciful unto salvation. And because of his great love we can continue to hope for a brighter day and a brighter tomorrow. We constantly ask him for forgiveness and he is faithful to giving us new mercies, a clean slate, day by day. He remembers us; and if we remember him the way that he remembers us, life will be a whole lot different.
Psalm 77:11-14 NIV says, [“I will remember the deeds of the Lord; yes, I will remember your miracles of long ago. I will consider all your works and meditate on all your mighty deeds.” Your ways, God, are holy. What god is as great as our God? You are the God who performs miracles; you display your power among the peoples.]
My prayer: Lord help me to not forget your forgiveness but to remember your good deeds, your miracles, all the times you brought me out. Help me to remember that it is because of your great love for me that I can take a stand on Holy ground with my sins forgiven, and that I can look upon others in the same manner. And in all situations I can know without a doubt, that you are good, because I not condemned, for your mercies are new day by day, your mercies are true and faithful, and your mercies endureth forever. Thank you for Salvation.
Amen,
G.M.
G.M. Sunshine 