(2 Peter 1:9) But whoever does not have them is nearsighted and blind, forgetting that they have been cleansed from their past sins.

Have you ever been tormented by your past sins?  I ask this question because I have.  Throughout my years as a forgiven sinner, I occasionally find myself wallowing in the memory of past sins.  Darkness begins to loom over me, and I fall into a self-loathing pile of self-focused misery. The only ones celebrating are the demons who have been whispering reminders of past sins in my ear.

When I realize what has been happening, I pick myself up and read the truths found in Scripture.  My sins have been forgiven and forgotten by the Lord (Psalm 103 11-12).  There may be ones here on earth that remember those sins, but my sins don’t even exist in God’s kingdom.  I am a new creature in Christ Jesus.  The old has passed away (Romans 6:4-11).

I regret the things I did in the past and the hurt I caused, but Jesus died for those sins so I could have new life.  Jesus gave me the opportunity to start over.  That is where my focus should be.  This opportunity is also available for those I hurt, and I pray for them that they too will find new life in Christ. 

We have a common enemy who delights in bringing us down, stealing our joy, and making us ineffective in God’s kingdom.   Satan and his demons are out to kill, steal, and destroy.  They revel in tormenting us.  Through Jesus we can put them aside.  I sometimes forget this.