Just as every Christian has spent some time on their knees in repentance to God, each one has had an encounter with someone who tried to keep them confined to that state of guilt. Of course, the culprit behind this is Satan; he’s the one who wants to keep us feeling guilty, even after we’ve repented. For he wants us to lose hope in Christ; he wants us to think that we’re too sinful to be forgiven by God. It is for this reason that we must constantly remind ourselves that Jesus doesn’t measure our worth by our works; He doesn’t see a hopeless case when He looks into our sorrowful eyes; instead, He sees what He loves and died for. But do you see what He sees in you?
Listen, don’t let it weigh heavy on your heart when Satan tries to throw the sins of your past in your face. And don’t be surprised if he influences someone who is close to you to try to do this. It is characteristic of the enemy to divide and conquer. Satan will even use those who appear to be godly to try to hurt us in this way. For he can appear as an angel of light (2Corinthians 11:14). Therefore we need to be on our guard at all times, putting every thought and action to the test of the Scriptures; all things must agree with what is written in The Bible. For the grass withers and the flower fades, but the word of God stands forever. God cannot lie. (Isaiah 40:8; Titus 1:2)
Having said that, if you repented of your sins and have turned your heart to Jesus Christ, then you have nothing to be ashamed of. For you were washed and sanctified; you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God. (1Corinthians 6:11) So, don’t be troubled by empty words; the Accuser has nothing on you. Instead, listen to Jesus:
“Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.” – John 14:1-3 KJV
Do you believe these words? You should believe them. For the Tomb is empty and Jesus is risen from the dead; the grave no longer has a hold on Him. And because the Tomb is empty you can be confident that He has prepared a place in heaven for those who love Him. Indeed, He will come again to claim them as His own special treasure. So, don’t live in the guilt of the past; rather, stand up and pledge your allegiance to Jesus Christ; hold fast to every promise that God has made, concerning your future. Here are two promises that you can claim right now:
“Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near: Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon. For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts. For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater: So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.” – Isaiah 55:6-11 KJV
“My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.” – John 10:27-28 KJV
So, the next time the Accuser comes knocking on your door, to remind you of your past failures, remind him that the Tomb is empty and that he can’t silence the Word of God. Live not in the guilt of the past, but abide in the Blessed Hope; that is, remain in the faith of Jesus Christ. For “If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.” (John 8:36 KJV)
