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Cristo Redentor (Christ the Redeemer), Brazil

For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your ancestors, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect. -1 Peter‬ ‭1‬:‭18-19‬ (NIV)

This righteousness is given through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference between Jew and Gentile, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. -Romans‬ ‭3‬:‭22-24‬ (NIV)

I have to remind myself of this often, when my flesh rises up. My mind thinks back to some grave mistake I made. I can’t take it back, and I start the downward spiral of remorse, regret, and wallowing.

The enemy is loving this: a follower of Christ, who already stumbled in the sin being recalled—but already forgiven for it—is still stumbling over a memory of it. I’ve basically taken the pieces of the sin, which God already separated from me as far as the east is from the west, and reassembled them.

I’m a sinner like you. We have all made mistakes that are judged here on earth as little or big in the eyes of men, but sin is sin in the Lord’s eyes.

Remember the heavy price God paid to sacrifice His only son to redeem and justify us. Redemption is forgiveness for our sins, and justification is righteousness given us, and the freedom bought for us through Jesus’ death and resurrection.

All that to say: when you sin, you confess it to God. You repent. And you give that burden to Him. Jesus did not die for us so we’d crush ourselves under the weight of our own sins through wallowing and regret. That’s dishonoring Jesus’ work and God’s love, so I then confess and repent of my selfishness in my wallowing and regret, for I’ve taken my eyes off Him…again.

So, the next time you think back on, or are reminded of, a past sin…whether recent or old…remember Jesus’ work for you before you drag yourself down. You’ve been forgiven. Now honor Him and forgive yourself so you can continue to glorify Him in your unencumbered walk. God’s got great plans for you.

Today’s soundtrack

“I am Redeemed” by Big Daddy Weave reminds us that we are shackled and imprisoned by sin, but His loving redemption lets us shake off the chains, because we aren’t who we used to be!