We are all intrigued by the idea of forgiveness, but I’m afraid that many of us do not entirely understand it. The forgiveness we know is only partial; it only covers some sins and it doesn't really allow us to change. This kind of forgiveness sells us short and we fail to grasp the idea of complete forgiveness – the kind of forgiveness that Our Savior paid for. The kind of forgiveness that wipes the slate clean, washes every stain and leaves the past behind us.
I know, it’s hard to believe in because I "just don’t know what you’ve done." Okay, maybe I don’t. But Christ does. And He knew it all when He hung on the cross. I think that’s what we tend to forget – that Jesus knew exactly what He was getting into. He knew He was dying for the worst of your sins, but it didn’t stop Him because they were already forgiven.
And I’ve thought about how crazy that is. Our redemption and our chance to be forgiven was that important to Him? What a blessing that is! And I can even picture the devil watching from the sidelines, hoping to somehow tear God's plan apart. I don't know if you've ever thought of that, but I can see it. I mean, don't you think the devil rolled his eyes at God's son, trying to convince Him that the cross was a big mistake?
Christ is nailed to the cross and the devil smirks as he taunts,
What are you doing here? Dying... for sinners? You know what's going to happen, don't you? You die a hero, offering all men redemption if they follow you... only, they don't. They're going to curse your name and many will follow me instead. Even if it's for only a season, they'll serve me before they serve you. So, I mean, this is very honorable of you to die for your people and all, but... I just think you're wasting your time.
But I can also picture Christ standing up for us. I can picture Him saying,
I know. But they don't know what they're doing. One day, they will and I'll be ready with open arms. You see, if I were dying for perfect men, then I would be wasting my time. Rather, I'm dying for sinners. And it doesn't matter what they've done, because when I bleed, I will pour out forgiveness and my blood will cover their sins.
Now of course those aren't actually Christ's words, but that exact concept is found 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."
This is complete forgiveness. Old things are passed away. The past is forgiven, cleansed by Christ's blood. Every sin. You are entirely and overwhelmingly forgiven.
But here's the thing. If Christ can put the past in the past, you must do the same. Old things are passed away. They're not tucked away on the shelf in case you ever need to revisit them. They're not hidden away where only you can find them. And, they're most certainly not something you throw in a backpack to still carry around with you. They are buried in the past, in a place where you now feel victory over their inability to show up uninvited.
The Bible tells us that "all things become new." Not just some things. Not just the things that weren't too bad to start off with. Everything. The most destroyed and broken. All will become new.
Allow yourself to be forgiven. Allow yourself to become new. For you mustn't let the person you were for a season consume the person you have always been.
