Barry Newton recalls a phone conversation...

The phone rang. On the other end was a familiar voice just beyond recognition. Then as he launched into asking, "How do I forgive myself?" I suddenly recalled his name and history.

"How can I forgive myself when I have wasted so many decades?"

Before I could even gather my thoughts he blurted out his current crisis. Even though his speech was not slurred, a slight bit of probing revealed what I feared. Alcohol was involved.

I've heard the ache and seen in people's eyes the pain arising from decades of destructive decisions.

The same satanic mantras tend to dominate those struggling with forgiving themselves:

• "There is no hope for me!"

• "God doesn’t want me, I've done too much."

• "I can't be forgiven."

• "I will never be able to forgive myself."

Can a new future exist devoid of dragging along self-recrimination for past failures? *

Thanks be to God, the answer to that last question is "Yes!"

The Good News (the Gospel) is that although each and every person has sinned and continues to fall short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23), God still loves us.  He loves us so much that He gave His Son to die on the cross for our sins (John 3:16; 1 Corinthians 15:1-4).

Newton affirms: "As horrible and destructive as sin is, HOPE exists! Forgiveness is possible because Jesus' death can overcome sin's poison."

"In Him [Christ] we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our sins" (Ephesians 1:7).  Yes, we have sinned. We all have. But the blood of Jesus is greater than our sin.

Jesus will save those who place their faith and trust in Him (Acts 16:30-31), turn from their sins in repentance (Acts 17:30-31), confess Him before men (Romans 10:9-10), and are baptized (immersed) in His name for the forgiveness of sins (Acts 2:38).  He will continue to cleanse those who continue to walk in the light of His Word (1 John 1:7).

Newton declares: "Those who have relied upon Christ, must refuse to listen to how Satan would drag up the past to condemn what God has forgiven."

Won't YOU submit to the Savior so that you may have forgiveness and receive the gift of eternal life?

David Sargent, Minister