I’m not worthy. I’m not perfect. I have committed many sins. I’ve broken God’s rules and followed the rules of the world. I’ve turned my back on God so many times. How can I possibly face God again? If you have ever felt this way, please know you are not alone. Satan constantly reminds us of our past mistakes, so we can be filled with guilt and shame. When we are consumed with feelings of guilt and shame, we start to distance ourselves from God and that is exactly what the devil wants. As I’ve told you before, Satan will try everything in his power to steal and destroy your joy and his ultimate goal is to keep you away from our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Our Lord, knows your past mistakes and He knows we all make mistakes. He is aware of every mistake we have ever made and He understands. Just as He did when the scribes and Pharisees brought to Him a woman caught in adultery (John 8:2-11). And when they had set her in the midst, they said to Him, “Teacher, this woman was caught in adultery, in the very act. Now Moses, in the law, commanded us that such should be stoned. But what do You say?” This they said, testing Him, that they might have something of which to accuse Him. But Jesus stooped down and wrote on the ground with His finger, as though He did not hear.
So when they continued asking Him, He raised Himself up and said to them, “He who is without sin among you, let him throw a stone at her first.” And again He stooped down and wrote on the ground. Then those who heard it, being convicted by their conscience, went out one by one, beginning with the oldest even to the last. And Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst. When Jesus had raised Himself up and saw no one but the woman, He said to her, “Woman, where are those accusers of yours? Has no one condemned you?”
She said, “No one, Lord.”
And Jesus said to her, “Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more.”
As you can see, we have a merciful God. He is gentle, loving and kind. He will welcome you with open arms when you turn to Him. But as He says, we must sin no more! The Bible says, “He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:9). God stands ready to receive us, even at the last moment, as He did with the criminal who repented just as he was being put to death with Jesus – Luke 23:39-43. But if we delay, our hearts can grow harder and more resistant towards God. The Bible warns us, “He who is often rebuked, and hardens his neck, will suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy” (Proverbs 29:1). When you repent and turn away from your sins. There is nothing more pleasing to God. He wants a heart that earnestly desires to be closer to Him.
No one but God is perfect, sinless or shameless. We all need God and we must seek Him at all times. David says in Psalm 51:7-9, “Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; Wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. Make me hear joy and gladness, That the bones You have broken may rejoice. Hide Your face from my sins, And blot out all my iniquities.” Our Heavenly Father is never deaf to our cry nor blind to our need. He knows who we are and what we are and loves us in spite of our past mistakes.
My beautiful Tewahedo Orthodox sister, please stop living your life in guilt and shame because of your past mistakes, no matter how great or small. If you don’t it will hold you back and it will stop you from living the life God has planned for you. A life full of joy and happiness. However, if you are still struggling and allowing the guilt and shame of your past mistakes to dictate the magnitude of your life. Please speak with your spiritual father today, as he will pray for you, support you and guide you to live the life God wants you to have. Every choice you make today will have an impact on your future. Therefore, choose to live a life full of joy and happiness. And always remember…. “You are never too dirty for God to cleanse. You are never too broken for God to fix. You are never too far gone for God to reach. You are never too guilty for God to forgive. And you are never too worthless for God to love.”
May…
“The Lord bless you and keep you;
The Lord make His face shine upon you,
And be gracious to you;
The Lord lift up His countenance upon you,
And give you peace.”
Numbers 6:24-26
Author Selam Seyoum
Tewahedo Orthodox Girl 