CLEAN SLATE
Debbie Nelson
Today’s Scripture: “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.” 2 Corinthians 5:17, ESV
Theme: When we are made new in Christ, our identity is not tied to our past, struggles, successes, or feelings.
CAN I HAVE A DO OVER?
Many of us have made poor decisions and/or done things that we are not proud of. I know I have. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve beaten myself up over the same issues. Yet, when we accept Christ, He literally wipes our slate clean. Things we have done or said in the past no longer define us. If God forgives me, then I need to forgive myself and commit to following Him in my new life. My sins, and yours, were nailed to the cross when Christ died for all our sins.
THE “NEW” ME
I’d like to think that when I started to follow Jesus, I also made better choices. I’ve actually stopped to ask myself, “What would Jesus do?” when faced with a decision or how to handle a situation. Does that mean that I now lead a sinless life because Jesus expects me to be perfect from that moment forward? Absolutely not! The only One Who was able to live a sinless life was Jesus. None of us can ever come close to that. We are human and God knows that. He knows we are still going to sin. But He also knows that when we sin, we will notice it more and like it less.
In today’s society, it’s easy to want to conform to the world and what seems not just acceptable but almost expected from others. None of us wants to be the outcast, yet when our actions conflict with what we understand from God’s Word and the prompting from His Holy Spirit, we aren’t following the path that matters. Stop trying to please people here on earth. Focus on pleasing your Heavenly Father for all eternity instead.
Make It Personal: Are you still struggling to live your life according to the Spirit? Each day, make a conscious effort to consider your daily interactions with people. How do you treat your family and friends? How do you treat strangers? Are you willing to follow God’s Word when it goes against what you think others expect of you? Following God means that you are no longer focused on selfishness, self-righteousness, self-promotion, or self-justification. I am learning to ask myself, “Are my actions based on old habits that need to be broken?” Still having trouble? Open your Bible. He won’t ever lead you astray.
Pray: Heavenly Father, I have accepted You as my Lord and Savior. Help me to follow Your Word so I can live my life filled with the Spirit. Thank You for showing me Your grace and mercy when I lose my way. Guide me back to the path I’m meant to follow. In Your Name I pray, Amen.
Read: Ezekiel 36:26-27; Romans 12:2; Galatians 2:20; Titus 3:5
Weekly Memory Verse: “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” Romans, 3:23