If you’re spending this week in self-review, it will help you to understand how Christ makes you new! While your physical appearance may stay the same (as well as some of your interests), you’ve changed spiritually.
You’ve been forgiven from your past/history! Ephesians 1:7: “In [Christ] we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace.” The riches of God’s grace? Can you even fathom how much God loves you, that He looks at who you used to be and says you are NOT that person any longer? Earlier this week I told you that your history doesn’t define you, and I hope this will stick with you.
God also heals you from hurts. Hurt is a part of this fallen world we live in, and it can’t be escaped. But you can find healing from it. We see this in Isaiah 61:1: “…(The Lord) has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners…” God doesn’t want you to be brokenhearted. You can learn from ALL of your experiences, but finding freedom is one of the best experiences of all!
One final biblical truth that I want you to understand is that God frees you from your habits. “Don’t lie to each other, for you have stripped off your old sinful nature and all its wicked deeds. Put on your new nature, and be renewed as you learn to know your Creator and become like him” (Colossians 3:9-10). You have the attainable goal of knowing God and becoming like Him!