Bryant Wright, Founder

“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

Jesus offers freedom in His relentless forgiveness.

Author Stephen Chbosky writes in the book turned film, The Perks of Being a Wallflower,

“We accept the love we think we deserve.”

In other words, how we view ourselves (our identity, value, and self-worth) has a big impact on how we engage in life. That couldn’t be truer spiritually. So many people have trouble accepting God’s love because deep down, they don’t believe they deserve it. They carry the labels of their past– failure, addict, unworthy, unlovable– and let those names define them.

Let’s go back to Hosea’s story for a moment (find the full story in Hosea). Remember his wife, Gomer? She ran back to her old life of immorality after Hosea had already forgiven her and taken her back. Maybe she couldn’t fully believe she was loved. Maybe the shame of her past kept her from living in the new identity Hosea offered her as his bride.

Can you relate to that? Maybe you’ve done something you can’t forgive yourself for. Maybe you’ve been told you’ll never change. Or maybe you’ve believed the lie that God’s grace covers everyone– except you.

But hear this truth: there is no sin, no failure, and no lie that Jesus cannot redeem. When you come to Him with a repentant heart, He makes you new through His relentless forgiveness.

As Paul said, “The old has gone, the new has come.”

Gone is the guilt.

Gone is the shame.

Gone is that former identity that once defined you.

So if you’re still carrying the weight of your past, lay it down at the foot of the cross. Thank Jesus for what He’s already done, and start walking in the freedom He’s already given you.

Because in Christ, you’re not who you were– you’re who He says you are.

DIG DEEPER

Read “No Matter What is in Your Past” also by Bryant Wright