Understanding the extent of God's forgiveness is important.
When by grace through faith you accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, salvation is assured. But while you wait for your 'home going', there remains an inner conflict ... the flesh and the Spirit vie for control of your heart and mind.
The ongoing work of sanctification takes root as you yield your life to Him.
The Holy Spirit convicts us of sin and repentance ushers us back into fellowship with our Lord. He transforms us into vessels of honor ... used to further His Kingdom.
When we fail to grasp the true meaning of God's forgiveness, haunting memories of our sinful past can keep us from serving Him. Satan is the 'accuser of the brethren' and uses that shame to cripple our walk of faith. He stamps us as ... 'unworthy'.
Peter’s story says otherwise.
We read the Biblical account of His denial of Christ ... Immediately a rooster crowed a second time. Then Peter remembered what Jesus had said to him: “Before a rooster crows twice, you will deny me three times.” And he broke down and wept. (Mark 14:72)
Yet, he was not hindered by the guilt of his past. Peter became a bold preacher who did not hesitate to use the very sin he had committed to stir the hearts of those he addressed …
The God of Abraham, and of Isaac, and of Jacob, the God of our fathers, hath glorified his Son Jesus; whom ye delivered up, and DENIED him in the presence of Pilate when he was determined to let him go. But ye DENIED the Holy One and the Just and desired a murderer to be granted unto you. (Acts 3:13-14)
Peter experienced forgiveness that would not keep him bound. He did not think to himself … 'I can’t preach this message because I did what they have done'.
He was free to serve God without hindrance ... and you can too. If your past haunts you, allow repentance to be completed by surrendering it to the One who bore it on Calvary's cross.
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