Repent, Forgive Yourself, and Press Forward

I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Philippians 3:14

          The first step to removing sin and walking in righteousness is turning to God and repenting (1 John 1:9).  Once you have repented from your sin Psalm 103:12 says, “As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us.”  You could travel east around the world 50 times and you would never be going west.  This is how far God has removed your transgressions from you.  Then Micah 7:19 says, “He will again have compassion on us, and will subdue our iniquities. You will cast all our sins into the depths of the sea.”  If you have repented from your sin, it is covered under the blood of Jesus.  It is gone in God’s eyes.  You do not need to continue asking God to forgive you of your past sin.  That would be like you fishing in the sea to uncover your sin again.  It is gone!  1 Corinthians 13:5 says that love keeps no record of wrongs.  We know that God is love (1 John 4:8).  So, God must not keep a record of our wrongs.  Once you repent, it is gone.  It is the enemy’s plan to continue to condemn you with your past and make you feel as though you are not forgiven or not good enough. 

          Because of this, the next step after repenting is to forgive yourself and press forward toward the call of God in Christ Jesus (Philippians 3:14).  Jesus Himself said in Luke 9:62, “No one, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.”  Put the past behind you.  You cannot start the next chapter of your life if you keep rereading the last one.  Today is a new day.  Focus on making right decisions today, regardless of what you chose yesterday.  Press forward by making a decision to sin no more in the area you repented in.  Realize that no one makes you sin, it is a choice each person makes usually when tempted. That is why 1 Corinthians 10:13 states that God will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear.  He will also provide the way of escape, which is His Word.  You must choose God / His Word not sin and then flee from the temptation.