Welcome back! If you are just joining us, we are using the YouVersion Bible App to follow a devotional together. Read THIS POST to get all the information you need to join in and then you can read THIS MORNING’S POST to see the promises we are focusing on this week.

Did you get a chance to spend some time with this week’s promises? I read them over and over and had such a hard time deciding which one stood out to me the most. Each one is so fantastic but the promise I am claiming this week is….

New believer – I have given you a new identity forever. You are not who you were. Out with the old, in with the new! 2 Corinthians 5:17

This is by far one of my favorite promises. No longer do we need to identify with our former life. You no longer need to call yourself “broken” or “abused.” You are not defined as “alcoholic” or “partier.” Do not let the devil convince you that you are still “worthless” or “addicted.” You are a new creation!

The moment you come to Christ you are made new. All the dirt from your past, no matter what it is, is washed clean with his blood. Hallelujah! Set down all the old baggage and walk away. It is not yours to carry anymore. Christ took all of that, all the sin, all the poor decisions, all the ickiness, and nailed it on the cross with him. Leave it there.

There are moments when I can feel shame or condemnation creeping in on me. When that little voice the devil likes to disguise as my own starts whispering all the thoughts that I don’t want to think.

“You aren’t enough.”

“You don’t deserve this.”

“What good are you.”

“You failed again.”

But this verse helps me fight back. I am a new creation in Jesus and the old is gone. He has removed the sin as far as the east is from the west (Psalm 103:12) and his mercies are new each morning (Lamentations 3:22-23).

The next time that terrible little voice starts in on you about things you’ve done wrong in the past remind yourself of this verse. Write it down so you can memorize it and call on it whenever it’s needed. Bury the truth in your heart and never doubt that God has made you new.

Heavenly Father, thank you for your grace and forgiveness. Thank you that the failings and sins of our past do not follow us around once we have accepted your Son as our savior. I pray that we would all bury this truth in our hearts and never doubt the cleansing we have experienced. Thank you that your mercies are new each day and your compassion unending. Help us to live in a way that reflects the new creations we have become. In Jesus name, Amen.