Is this the Lord’s chastisement, or something else?

on Jun 28, 2024

From the writings of the Rev. Billy Graham

Q: I came out of the rap culture and it just about destroyed me. I was saved at an evangelistic meeting when I was near the end of all hope. My life was one big mess and even my doctor said that it would take a miracle for me to rebound. When Christ became my Savior and Lord, I gave my life to Him and experienced a heavy weight lifted from me. It was a miracle! But now that I’ve settled down and started learning the Bible, I have times where my past life seems to chase me and won’t let me go, reminding me how inadequate I am to be anything worthwhile. Is this the Lord’s chastisement, or something else? – G.P.

A: Do you believe that God cannot forgive you for something you’ve done, even a long time ago? If so, know that those thoughts are actually from your enemy, Satan. He will do almost anything to make us think God hates us and won’t forgive us. One of his favorite tricks is to encourage us to keep dredging up the sins of the past, and he uses our memory of them to condemn us and tell us how terrible we are. That is why the Bible calls Satan “the accuser of our brothers” (Revelation 12:10, ESV). But his accusations are false!

Here is the truth: If you have honestly turned to Jesus and asked Him to forgive you and received His salvation, then you are forgiven – totally and absolutely. When Jesus died on the cross, every sin you ever committed – every one – was placed on Him. He died to pay the penalty for all your sins. So don’t believe your emotions and don’t let the memories of the past defeat you. The Bible says, “The blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin” (1 John 1:7, NKJV). That is God’s promise to you – and God cannot lie.

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(This column is based on the words and writings of the late Rev. Billy Graham.)