Ridgell's Originals

 You have to make peace with your past.  You know it.  God knows it.  Often other people know it.  There are consequences to deal with.  So here is the only way I know to deal with your past.

Believe that you are forgiven.  Forgiven.  God forgives you.  Others may not, but that is now between them and God.  Consequences are not the same as guilt.  

So you had a past before you became a Christian.  God forgives you.  Be baptized and wash away your sins is a reality.  It was true for Saul in Acts 22 and it is true for you.  So if someone brings up your past, just remind them that it was your old self not the new self born again in Christ.  If they are a Christian, they get it.  If not, then this is your chance to witness.  

But what if your past is after you became a Christian?  And if you were raised in a believing family this is usually the case.  The blood of Jesus still covers you.  Confess your sins and God forgives you.  Always.  Read I John 1.  Someone brings up your past?  You are forgiven.  Just like their past.  If you have a hard time getting past your past... stop arguing with God.  If He says you are forgiven, who are you to argue with Him?  

Your sins are the old you.  You repented and became a Christian, or you repented as a Christian.  Real repentance leads you to be a different person.  It may take some time, or it may happen quickly. You may struggle with temptation, but the key point is this:  repentance leads to a changed life.  So when someone brings up your past... you have repented.  You are a different person.  

But what if you are not different?  Two observations.  Have you confessed your sin to anyone so you can get help.  Talk to an elder.  Go to someone you trust to give spiritual advice and counsel.  Confession opens the door to help.

If you have not repented, then do it now.  Then begin the process of renewing your mind and changing into the person God wants you to be.

Forgiven.  

But if you are not willing to confess and repent, you will never truely deal with your past.  It will never be "in the past."  

So deal with it.  

Then live your forgiveness.

# posted by Steve @ 5:00 AM