There are somethings from my growing up that today’s generation and future generations will never know about or understand.
Things like stick-shift standard transmissions, rotary dial phones, Mighty Mouse, Flipper and cleaning chalkboards. The last was a favorite of mine – getting to erase the boards, wipe it all clean but the best part was having the teacher hand me that big chamois eraser that not only removed the chalk writing but also the residue chalk dust. It took the board back to new, as if nothing had ever been written on it before.
All the handwriting had been blotted out.
Do you realize that’s what Jesus’ sacrifice does for us? It has completely blotted out all our sins, our faults and failures. All evidence of our past has been removed from God’s sight. He sees us completely cleansed. A whole new person.
“Our sins are washed away and we are made clean because Christ gave His own body as a gift to God. He did this once for all time.” Hebrews 10:10 NLV
There may be some of you, like me, who have lived with a guilty conscience for years. I was so ashamed of some of the things I have done and didn’t feel I would ever be good enough to really experience total forgiveness. Complete peace with God.
But one day I heard a preacher say, “If you’re battling with your past, quit! Jesus paid the price for your guilt. Forgiveness is a free gift. Your sins have been blotted out”.
“God raised us up from death when He raised up Christ Jesus. He has given us a place with Christ in the heavens. 7 He did this to show us through all the time to come the great riches of His loving-favor. He has shown us His kindness through Christ Jesus. 8 For by His loving-favor you have been saved from the punishment of sin through faith. It is not by anything you have done. It is a gift of God.” Ephesians 2:6-8 NLV
That was a turning point for me. I didn’t have to look back any longer. I could look forward, with joy, for all that God had done and was going to do in my life.
“When you were stuck in your old sin-dead life, you were incapable of responding to God. God brought you alive—right along with Christ! Think of it! All sins forgiven, the slate wiped clean, that old arrest warrant canceled and nailed to Christ’s cross.” Colossians 2:13-14 MSG
“I will not remember their sins and wrong-doings anymore.” Hebrews 10:17 NLV
The slate wiped cleaned. That was something I really had to let the Lord make a part of my thinking. He didn’t remember my past but I did. The more I focused on His word and the promises of forgiveness the less I thought about my past. Forever cleansed became a life-changing truth.
God has given me a clean slate. Completely forgiven. He has chosen to forget my sins and wrong-doings and He’s done the same for you.
Everyday I am thankful for a clean slate!
Kristi, thank you for always being encouraging. God has blessed you with the ability to share His word!
Thank you Libby. It is my joy to be able to share what the Lord has taught me.