Sins Forgiven Become Lessons For Us.

Paul's wise theory of life
(J.R. Miller, "Breaking Away from Our Past")

"But one thing I do: Forgetting what is 
behind and straining toward what is ahead, 
I press on toward the goal to win the prize 
for which GOD has called me heavenward 
in CHRIST JESUS!" Philippians 3:13-14

We have here Paul's wise theory of life--

progress by forgetting, by letting go 

of the things that are past.

"Forgetting what is behind." 

Probably most of us have done 

things we would much like . . .
  to leave behind,
  to blot out from memory,
  to cut altogether loose from,
  to bury in oblivion.

We cannot turn back the hands 

of the clock, that we may have any day 

over again. But we may bring to GOD 

all the mistakes, the follies, the sins--

and HE will forgive us, and then use 

even these poor broken things for good.

A traveler tells of finding a place 

beside the sea, where many ships 

were dashed upon the rocks--

and a beautiful house built altogether 

from pieces of wreckage gathered 

from the shore.

That is about the best many of us 

can do. We have little else to bring 

to GOD but wreckage--

disobediences, broken commandments, 

mistakes, sins. Yet it is a wonderful 

thought that even with such materials, 

if we are truly penitent and repentant--

our MASTER will work, helping us 

to build beauty in our lives. 

Sins forgiven become lessons for us. 

Out of a past full of failures, we may 

make a future full of strength and beauty--

through the grace of CHRIST. 

We cannot forget our sins, 

but we may be wiser and 

better for them.

   ~  ~  ~  ~

GraceGems has published J.R. Miller's helpful 2 page article, 
"The Marriage Altar".