God-given

As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us.
Psalm 103:12

One of the main things that we, as Christians, struggle with is thoughts of our past mistakes and sins. The enemy of our soul uses them against us to try to trip us up in our daily endeavor to follow Christ and to walk holy before Him. What we must do is embrace the Word of God and BELIEVE it.

If we have asked forgiveness for our sins, they are under the redemptive blood of Christ. Forever blotted out. Leave them there.

Before the Damascus Road intervention by Christ, Saul (turned Paul) arrested and imprisoned Christians, helped to stone them, and his actions were sanctioned by the Jewish leaders. If anyone could've been plagued by the guilt of his past, Paul would certainly have every reason. However, he believed the Word of the Lord. We use Paul's words inspired by the Holy Spirit to teach others how to live their new life in Christ - free from the guilt of their past.

Romans 8:1, There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.

2 Corinthians 5:17, Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.

Satan remembers, and we remember, but God chooses NOT to remember. How did Jesus combat the enemy? His response was always, "It is written..." and we should do the same! But we must know it in order to use it. In Hebrews 8:12 NLT, it is written, [God speaking] ...I will forgive their wickedness, and I will never again remember their sins. [emphasis mine]

In 2nd Corinthians 1:12, Paul writes, We can say with confidence and a clear conscience that we have lived with a God-given holiness and sincerity in all our dealings. We have depended on God's grace, not on our own human wisdom. It's only when we try to live life as though we can somehow earn our holiness that we truly struggle and cannot attain or maintain a clear conscience. As Paul writes, it is a God-given holiness fully dependent on God's grace.

It is not our works or our good acts that earn us salvation or a place in heaven. In Ephesians 2, it is written, God saved you by His grace when you believed. And you can't take credit for this; it is a gift from God. Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it. And why does He do this? If we continue in verse 10 we discover why, For we are God's masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus so we can do the good things He planned for us long ago.

Breathe that in. Let it settle in your spirit. Let it clear your conscience. It's not on you. It's all God-given.

Prayer:

Father,
            Thank You for Your grace and for the God-given holiness You have given us. Thank You for providing a way for us to have a clear conscience. Forgive us for trying to do things on our own; for even unconsciously thinking that we could possibly earn holiness by our own actions. Give us wisdom, O God. Help us to understand and embrace the living, breathing truths of Your Word. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen