Michael R. Baggett

Do you know what bothers many people? Many people are bothered by bad behaviors and sins they have committed in their past. Even many faithful Christians struggle with guilt concerning their past sins. How can we let those sins go? Can we know we are forgiven?

Jeremiah spoke of a new covenant that would not be like the old covenant of Moses (Jeremiah 31:31-34). The most important difference in the new covenant from the old covenant is that God will remember past sins no more. “...And their sins I will remember no more” (Jeremiah 31:34, NASB, 1995).

Those who lived under the old covenant brought bulls and goats to the priests to be offered for sins. There would certainly be a remembrance of sins committed under the old covenant, “For it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins” (Hebrews 10:4, NASB, 1995).

If the blood of bulls and goats could not take away sins, why offer animal sacrifices at all? This was part of God's plan to put off the penalty for sins until Jesus offered His perfect sacrifice. In animal sacrifices there is a reminder of past sins each year when the High Priest offered sacrifices for the sins on the Day of Atonement. “But in those sacrifices there is a remembrance again made of sins every year” (Hebrew 10:1-3).

Think about it like this: The debt for sins was rolled forward like using a credit card. Using one credit card to pay off another credit card each year just pushes off the payment. When the credit card bill comes in the mail there is reminder of the debt still owed. The faithful under the old covenant longed for the days of Jesus to pay off the debt of the sins and by Him came a better covenant (Hebrews 8:7-12; 11:39-40).

Jesus came in the fulness of time, and lived a perfect life by keeping all the law and then offered that once and for all time sacrifice The Bible says concerning Jesus: “Who does not need daily, like those high priests, to offer up sacrifices, first for his own sins and then for the sins of the people, because He did once for all when He offered up Himself” (Hebrews 7:27). Jesus did not have to offer His sacrifice again and again. Christ bled, suffered, and died on the cruel cross of cavalry offering the perfect sacrifice. God was pleased (Isaiah 53:1-12). Jesus, as our High Priest, entered the Holy of Holies once in heaven itself and presented His Blood to God for our sins (Hebrews 9:11-12). He paid the full price for our sins. In offering up His sacrifice, Jesus took away the old covenant and established the second. “By that will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all” (Hebrews 10:10, NKJV).

The Hebrews writer repeats the promise God made in Jeremiah 31:34. This prophesy is referenced twice in Hebrews. In Jesus Christ, it is a fulfilled promise! “For I will be merciful to their iniquities, and I will remember their sins no more” (Hebrews 8:12; 10:17, NASB, 1995).

Think about your past sins like this: if you are in Christ, God remembers your sins no more. God no longer requires a payment for those sins! Jesus paid it all! (2 Corinthians 5:17; 21; Galatians 3:26-29). When you turn (repent) from sins and are baptized into Christ, it is not a matter of feeling forgiven; it is a matter of acknowledging God's forgiveness for your sins through faith. We walk by faith, not by feelings! (Jeremiah 17:9; 2 Corinthians 5:7). When you take that step of faith to be buried with Christ in baptism, it is then that God forgives the debt for your past sins (see Romans 3:25; 6:23; Colossians 2:11-13).

Stop kicking yourself for things you did before you became a Christian! Forgive yourself for stealing money from the workplace 20 years ago, forgive yourself for having had sexual relations before marriage, forgive yourself for having lived a life of alcohol and drugs, etc.! Stop it! Stop it because in Christ, God remembers your past sins no more. Do you believe the Bible concerning God's forgiveness? You should be rejoicing over true forgiveness (Acts 8:39; 16:30-34). You should rejoice always in your salvation in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:4). Faith says I have forgiveness of past sins because I put on Christ' righteousness when I obeyed the Gospel! (Romans 5:1-11; 6: 1-18). If God forgives you, forgive yourself.

Do not allow other people to bring up your sinful past. You are a new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17). You owe nothing for your past sins! Remember those sins no more! Do not allow others to hold your past sins over your head! Satan, himself, can no longer accuse you before God because he has been thrown down, and we are overcoming by the Blood of the Lamb! (Revelation 12:9-11). Tell your accusers what Jesus has done for you, and what He can do for them!

Forgiveness is not a matter of people's opinions or feelings. On that note, one can feel saved and be lost. Some may feel the burden of their sins because they have not yet truly been forgiven. You must seek the Lord on His terms according to truth (Psalms 145:18). God's word is truth (John 17:17).  Most television evangelist aim to make you feel good but not obey the truth (Matthew 7:15; Galatians 1:7-9). Do not fall for Satan's lies! (2 Corinthians 11: 3).

Why carry the burden of sins any longer? You can have real forgiveness in Christ Jesus, and you can have confidence in having salvation when this life is over (Hebrews 7:25: 1 John 5:13). Can we talk about it?