Remember when you accepted Christ as your Savior? Some of us felt different immediately. Others even shed our bad habits right away, and yet some struggled with them for a just while longer. Second Corinthians 5:17 says, “If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation, the old has gone, the new has come!” We are made new in Christ.
We need to remind ourselves often of what God’s word says about us. Consider, “The Lord’s unfailing love surrounds the (wo)man who trusts in Him,” Psalm 32:10. Or, “The name of the Lord is a strong tower, the righteous run to it and are safe,” Proverbs 18:10. Using the weapon of God’s Word to fight our battle is essential, especially when our long-term memory and deceitful mind trips us up and won’t let go of our past mistakes. Ever wished you could go back and change your past? Everyone has at one time or another wished they could. Or if you’ve thought, if only, or I should’ve, or wish I could’ve, you have been drawn into the trap of the enemy. Have you sensed nagging accusations of a sin you’ve asked God to forgive? You feel blame, shame, regret? Even though you know God has forgiven you, you can’t seem to get over it? This type of despair can immobilize us. We feel ashamed, embarrassed, guilty—sometimes even unworthy of the grace and mercy that covers our sin.
We must remind the accuser whose we are. In Christ, we are loved. Jeremiah 31:3 says, “I have loved you with an everlasting love, I have drawn you with lovingkindness.” God’s love is unconditional; it has no strings attached. In fact, I Peter 4:8 tells us, “God’s love covers a multitude of sins.” That means God’s perfect love is enough to erase every sin we have ever committed. When God looks down on us, he sees the righteousness of Jesus Christ. He sees us just as if we never sinned.
Remember Galatians 5:16–17: “So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature. For the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature.” Don’t you wish living by the Spirit was that easy? If we ask God to help us live by the Spirit, He will help us “keep in step with the Spirit ” (Galatians 5:25). To merely say, “Goodbye self,” once and for all would be wonderful, wouldn’t it? Is it impossible? No. If re-train our minds to be God-centered, we will see the works of the flesh fade away. This can only be possible through an attitude of praise. Psalm 34:1-3 says, “I will praise the Lord at all times. I will constantly speak His praises. I will boast only in the Lord, let all who are helpless take heart. Come let us tell of the Lord’s greatness, let us exalt his name together.”
When we speak out God’s praises, we give him the honor, praise, and glory due him. That’s truly the way to say so long to self!
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires,” Galatians 5:22–24.
Dear Heavenly Father, thanks for forgiveness. Thank you for your love, your grace, and your mercy. Thank you that I am a new person In Christ. I want to walk in unselfishness thank you for you Holy Word that help us give emphasis and direction to our prayers. Lead us and guide us as we walk in step with the Holy Spirit. Thank you for your power. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Mercy Me sings a song called “So Long Self,” which expresses how God wants us to get over ourselves and walk in the grace and the freedom He offers through the total and complete forgiveness Jesus Christ paid for us by His sacrifice on the Cross.