We all have a past—mistakes we regret, chapters filled with rebellion, moments we’d rather forget. Whether it’s the sting of poor decisions, broken relationships, or shameful seasons, the weight of what was can often overshadow what could be. But the gospel brings hope: your past does not define you—Jesus does.
The Apostle Paul, once Saul of Tarsus, knew this truth well. A former persecutor of Christians, Paul had a history stained with violence and hatred. Yet after his radical conversion, he wrote in Philippians 3:13-14, “Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before...”
Paul didn’t pretend his past never happened— he simply refused to be imprisoned by it.
Redemption is central to the Christian faith. God specializes in taking broken lives and making them new. The Bible is full of transformed stories: Jacob, the deceiver, became the father of the twelve tribes. Moses, a murderer, led Israel out of bondage. Rahab, a harlot, believed God and became part of Christ’s lineage.
David, guilty of adultery and murder, repented and was still called “a man after God’s own heart.”
The New Testament continues this theme. Matthew was a despised tax collector before Jesus called him. Mary Magdalene, once possessed by devils, became a devoted follower. Peter denied the Lord three times but was restored and became a powerful preacher at Pentecost.
These weren’t perfect people—they were redeemed people.
Scripture says in 2 Corinthians 5:17, “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” God doesn’t just forgive—He transforms. Psalm 103:12 tells us, “As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us.”
Still, even after forgiveness, many live under the cloud of condemnation. But Romans 8:1 reminds us, “ There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus...”The devil accuses, but Christ advocates. In John 8, a woman caught in adultery was thrown at Jesus’ feet. Her accusers waited with stones, but Jesus said, “He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone.”
Then He turned to the woman and said, “Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more.”
Guilt is a heavy chain, but Jesus came to break it. Too many believers are saved but shackled—still carrying what Christ already nailed to the cross. If you’ve been forgiven, it’s time to walk in freedom.
And not only are you forgiven— you are still called.
Jeremiah 29:11 says, “Fori know the thoughts that I think toward you... to give you an expected end.”
God’s purpose didn’t expire when you messed up.
Jonah ran, but God gave him a second chance. Moses wandered in the wilderness for forty years, but God still used him. Your past may shape your story, but it doesn’t cancel your calling.
Paul wrote, “I press toward the mark...” He was focused forward, not looking back. Hebrews 12:1-2 tells us to lay aside every weight and run the race, looking unto Jesus. You cannot move forward while living in reverse. Let go of what’s behind, and reach for what lies ahead.
Your past may explain you, but it doesn’t define you. Jesus didn’t come to rub your sin in—He came to wash it away. His blood doesn’t cover sin—it cleanses it. When God forgives, He also forgets. When He restores, He repurposes.
A sculptor once turned a jagged block of marble into a beautiful statue. Asked how he did it, he replied, “I just chipped away everything that didn’t look like the masterpiece inside.” That’s what God is doing with your life. He sees more than your past—He sees what you can become.
It’s time to stop carrying what Christ already buried. You can get past your past—because Jesus already has.
