Gifted – Finally Forgiven

• Rest.
• I’ll never forgive myself.
• I’m haunted by what I’ve done.
• There’s no way God could forgive me.
• Wraith

Isaiah 1:18 NLT  //  “Come now, let’s settle this,” says the LORD. “Though your sins are like scarlet, I will make them as white as snow. Though they are red like crimson, I will make them as white as wool. If you will only obey me...”

• We can bury it.

Proverbs 28:13  //  He who conceals his sins does not prosper, but whoever confesses and renounces them finds mercy.

• We can beat ourselves up.

Psalm 38:4-8  //  I am drowning in the flood of my sins, they are a burden too heavy to bear. Because I have been foolish, I’m utterly worn out and crushed, my heart is troubled.

• We can blame others.

Genesis 3:13  //  The serpent deceived me, and I ate.

• What do we do? The answer feels easy and Christianese.
• You need a new set of beliefs.
• We can believe God.

1 Timothy 1:13-15  //  Even though I was once a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent man, I was shown mercy because I acted in ignorance and unbelief. The grace of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners--of whom I am the worst.

How do I get past my past?

1. Stop trying to earn forgiveness.

Ephesians 2:8-9  //  For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith--and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God--not by works, so that no one can boast.

2. Defeat every lie with the truth.

John 8:44  //  When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies.

1 Corinthians 1:30 NLT  //  Christ made us right with God; he made us pure and holy, and he freed us from sin.

3. Allow God to turn it around for good.

Romans 8:28  //  And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

Genesis 50:20  //  You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.

• You don’t need forgiveness, you need faith.