The White Paint

"We should be defining ourselves on a different scale than the world!"

“He is rich in kindness and grace that He purchased our freedom with the blood of His Son and forgave our sins.” -Ephesians 1:7 (NLT)

In this world people find their identity in many places and things. Sometimes their occupation is their identity. A mom, nurse, teacher, etc. Sometimes their successes are what defines them. Or it’s the music they like, how they dress, or their hobbies.

As followers of Jesus, we are called to be set apart. That means we should be defining ourselves with the living word of God and what He says! We should be defining ourselves on a different scale than the world!

I think a great way to do this is with a little visual.

Close your eyes. Go ahead and let your sins and failures float through your mind for just a moment. Visualize a paint canvas. As you remember each mistake, watch a splatter of black paint hit that canvas. With each memory that canvas is getting dark, gross, and messy. Now visualize Jesus standing next to you holding a huge paintbrush dripping in beautiful white paint. With a single brush stroke that canvas becomes white. Clean as snow. Every sin is gone and forgotten. That black canvas is washed clean by the blood of Jesus. A fresh start and a clean slate. And the Bible tells us that once we repent God doesn’t even remember the sin! It’s gone!!! And in its place is a brand new you. A new identity. Created new and in the image of the Creator of the universe.

Who does God say you are?

You are loved. You are forgiven. You are redeemed. You are a new creation. You are holy. You are the temple of the Holy Spirit. You are made with purpose!!!! He has given you new clothes. Stop dragging back the old shame and guilt of sins that God doesn’t even remember!

Have you ever given someone a gift and they refused to take it? That’s always such an awkward situation. Some people really struggle with accepting gifts or accepting help, and that really hurts the heart of the person who is trying to give. When you keep bringing back your past after you’ve been forgiven, that’s like you telling Jesus you don’t accept His gift. It’s just as important to be a joyful receiver as it is to be a cheerful giver!!

Action Steps:

• Write down any mistakes you’ve made that are haunting you. Repent for each one, and plead the blood of Jesus. Ask Him to help you receive that forgiveness. Then throw the paper away, burn it, or tear it up. Then anytime the enemy tries to bring that mistake back up, remind him that you’ve been forgiven of that and he can just scram!

• Prayer: God, Thank You so much for Your love, Your grace, Your forgiveness. Thank You that it is all freely given. I accept Your gift, and will spend my life chasing after You. In Jesus' name, amen.

Written by Rachel, forgiven mother of 3.