Recognize. Repent. Run.
25 January, 2016
I recently screwed up. Big time. I did something completely against my Christian faith - leaving me feeling sick to my stomach. The last few days have been full of regret and stress. Basically - I feel pretty crummy. As humans, we're bound to fall. It's inevitable. So how do we dust ourselves off and continue on our way? The 3 R's: Recognize our sin. Repent of our sin. Run after God.
I've been having a difficult time getting over what happened, and it worries me that God may not get over what happened. But, newsflash: Jesus died for all our sins, both past and future. If we were perfect, we would have no need for a Savior. Jesus wouldn't have had to die on the cross.
Although I still feel pretty heavy and stressed about my actions, I know Jesus can and will give me a pure heart. I am not worthy to be His servant, but that's the glorious part about our Christian faith. We are undeserving children.
If you are struggling with guilt over past decisions and wallowing in regret, remember: Jesus loves you always. He will always forgive you. You can always run back into His arms. He is always there. Read Psalm 51 below; this was written by King David after he committed adultery and killed a man. God still forgave him.
Psalm 51
Have mercy on me, O God,
because of your unfailing love.
Because of your great compassion,
blot out the stain of my sins.
Wash me clean from my guilt.
Purify me from my sin.
For I recognize my rebellion;
it haunts me day and night.
Against you, and you alone, have I sinned;
I have done what is evil in your sight.
You will be proved right in what you say,
and your judgment against me is just.
For I was born a sinner—
yes, from the moment my mother conceived me.
But you desire honesty from the womb,
teaching me wisdom even there.
Purify me from my sins, and I will be clean;
wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.
Oh, give me back my joy again;
you have broken me—
now let me rejoice.
Don’t keep looking at my sins.
Remove the stain of my guilt.
Create in me a clean heart, O God.
Renew a loyal spirit within me.
Do not banish me from your presence,
and don’t take your Holy Spirit from me.
Restore to me the joy of your salvation,
and make me willing to obey you.
Then I will teach your ways to rebels,
and they will return to you.
Forgive me for shedding blood, O God who saves;
then I will joyfully sing of your forgiveness.
Unseal my lips, O Lord,
that my mouth may praise you.
You do not desire a sacrifice, or I would offer one.
You do not want a burnt offering.
The sacrifice you desire is a broken spirit.
You will not reject a broken and repentant heart, O God.
Look with favor on Zion and help her;
rebuild the walls of Jerusalem.
Then you will be pleased with sacrifices offered in the right spirit—
with burnt offerings and whole burnt offerings.
Then bulls will again be sacrificed on your altar.
