ERASE ALL SHAME FROM THE PAST
Most people have lived situations that have put them to shame or made them feel guilty. Peter is an example of this, because when he encountered Jesus after denying him three times, he was full of embarrassment and guilt, which stopped him from being the same person he used to be with Jesus.
Shame will exalt our sins over the cross. Peter made a mistake, and that mistake wanted to move him away from the power of the Cross of Calvary. Shame enslaves us to our past and it traps us in the mistakes we have made so that we depreciate the forgiveness Jesus offers us.
But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness. 1 John 1:9
Shame pushes us to make bad decisions. Peter, even after knowing Jesus had resurrected, wanted to go back to working as a fisher, when he knew that he had been called to fish for men. He was about to make a bad decision because of the indignation he was experiencing. John 21:2-3
Don’t allow shame to move you away from God’s plans. Do not regress to your past, because it’ll do you no good. The Lord did not reject Peter for denying him, in fact, he showed him mercy and he empowered him to do His will here on earth.
How to be delivered from shame?
1. Admit and confess you have failed. 1 John 1:8-9
2. Receive forgiveness in Christ. Remember that he already paid the price for our shame. Let’s receive forgiveness, not because we are perfect but because He is good.
3. Forgive yourself. Don’t just receive forgiveness, learn to get up and keep going forward.
4. Focus on the future. Set right your past mistakes by becoming a better person today and in the future, just as Peter did. Philippians 3:13
Come on champion, don’t get tired of running this marathon to heaven. The Father and the angels are cheering you on!
Think About It:
What memories from the past have tried to enslave you?
What do you have to surrender to experience true freedom?
