Letting Go

“For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. But if anyone does not have them, he is nearsighted and blind, and has forgotten that he has been cleansed from his past sins.” (II Peter 1:5-9 NIV)

As I was reading this passage this morning, the last sentence jumped out at me.  In effect, Peter is saying the inability to let go of our past sins will affect our spiritual growth.  If you once slept with your girlfriend or boyfriend and repented but still cannot allow yourself to be forgiven, then this will stunt your spiritual maturity.  If you once betrayed someone’s trust and are still beating yourself up for it, you are denying yourself the opportunity to grow.  If you once hurt someone deeply and cannot let yourself off the hook even though the Lord has, then you will find yourself stuck in spiritual infancy.  

For anyone who cannot let go of their past sins, Paul is the model to whom they should turn for guidance.  He was a great persecutor of the Church in the 1st Century.  He approved of the stoning of Stephen and threw both Christian men and women into prison.  But then he came to know Jesus.  He summed up his feelings this way:

Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst. But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe on him and receive eternal life.  Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen. (I Timothy 1:15-17 NIV)

He felt like he was the worst sinner in the world.  Haven’t you?  I know I have.  But what Paul realized was God was so much greater than his sin, His forgiveness deeper and wider than the consequences of his terrible actions.  

And for those who have become Christians and then sinned in terrible ways, there is Peter.  He walked with the Lord for three years and then denied he even knew Him.  Yet, it is this same Peter who boldly goes on to live out his faith and to write the words above.  He knew what he was talking about.  

If either Paul or Peter had been unable to let go of their past sins, we probably never would have known about them.  It is their spiritual depth, their insight, their maturity that has made them spiritual models for Christians down through the ages.  

Today, may you know the sins of your past are washed away.  They are no more.  If you are holding onto them, let them go once and for all and be amazed at how much you grow.  

© Jim Musser 2013