by Dena Green

I recently spoke with a lady about some issues she was going through in life.  She was at a point of having to make some adjustments because of a medical condition and wasn’t really looking forward to those changes.  We chatted on about growing older and how we don’t like to make those changes in our life but they are necessary.  The conversation turned a corner when we began to talk about the Lord and where she was in her relationship with Him.  Big tears welled up in her eyes and she shared that she had regrets about some bad decisions that she had made in her past.  She didn’t feel that God could forgive her and that He condemned her for all of the “things” in her past.  She felt unworthy of His forgiveness.

This precious lady was a believer.  She knew Jesus, but was so wrapped in self-condemnation, that she hadn’t truly grasped the truth of HIS forgiveness.  She had believed Satan every time he whispered an ugly lie.  She walked into church thinking, “If they only knew, they wouldn’t even want me to be here.”

Oh my, how the Holy Spirit met with us that day!  He began to bring to mind scriptures that this precious soul needed to hear.

She needed to hear that Jesus forgave her sins…no matter what or how many.

I John 1:9 – “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

I Cor. 6:11 – “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.”

She needed to be reminded that Jesus doesn’t condemn her and that she is not to walk in self-condemnation. 

In John 8:11, Jesus told the woman caught in adultery that he didn’t condemn her and to “go and sin no more”.  This lady was so relieved that Jesus didn’t condemn her for her past.

She needed to embrace and receive the freedom of forgiveness and to walk in that freedom.

John 8:36 – “So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.”

She needed to listen to voice of truth and not the whispered lies of the enemy.  She needed to hear the truth of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

John 10:10 – “The thief comes only to steal and kiss and destroy.  I came that they may have live and have it abundantly.”

My new friend received healing that day for the sins that she was afraid to confess.  The Lord restored her heart and she forgave herself.  She gained freedom in knowing that Jesus forgave her sin and didn’t hold it against her.  Her tears of pain quickly changed to tears of joy and she left with the joy of the Lord shining on her face.

Have you lost sight of the truth about past sin?  Do you need to be reminded that no matter what, your sin is forgiven?  Do you need to be reminded that you are a daughter of THE KING.  He loves you and He paid the price for your sin.  You don’t have to carry the burden of sin and self-condemnation.  You can walk in freedom by leaving it all with Jesus.  Don’t let the enemy rob you of that freedom.  Listen to the voice of truth in I John 1:9 rather than the whispered lies of the enemy.

“To all who mourn in Israel, he will give a crown of beauty for ashes, a joyous blessing instead of mourning, festive praise instead of despair. In their righteousness, they will be like great oaks that the LORD has planted for his own glory.”   Isaiah 61:3