Is this a Difficult Principle to Understand or only to Simply Believe?
A chronic problem for many is the memory of past sins and failures; while we may want to believe we have been forgiven the memories flood back and condemn us if we let them. We make a serious mistake when we let our feelings take control of our lives; feelings can be influenced by circumstances and cannot be depended upon to serve as a reliable guide to our spiritual condition.
The Apostle Paul often uses the word know or knowledge and never suggests we base our life on our feelings; we are to progress based on our knowledge of God’s word, never our feelings about life.
Before his conversion to Christianity Paul was an energetic foe of the Christian faith; aggressive in his enthusiasm for attacking the Christian community in any way he could. In 1 Timothy 1:15 Paul writes:
“This is a trustworthy saying, and everyone should accept it: “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners”–and I am the worst of them all.”
If Paul were so inclined he could recall a load of guilt against the Christian community but he had learned to believe what God had revealed and records this in Romans 8:1 where it is written:
“8 Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus”
If we are so busy devoting our time to regrets and sad memories we have too little time to rejoice in the Lord; the Bible makes it clear what we should be doing and if we desire to demonstrate our obedience to God we should devote our time to rejoicing in the Lord. How much rejoicing is called for you may ask: always rejoicing in the Lord is the standard!
We do ourselves a big favor when we decide to believe God and be obedient to His commands; rejoice in the Lord always!
davidbowerkingwood 
AMEN
Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!
Philippians 4:4
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By: Sheila on March 8, 2017
at 8:03 am
The very verse I had in mind; the entire section is precious indeed.
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By: davidbowerkingwood on March 8, 2017
at 11:15 am
Thank you , David , for this timely truth…..it reminds me of Jude 24, …now unto Him who able to keep you from falling and to present you blameless before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy…….If I understand this verse, it’s saying Jesus with exceeding joy will present us to God totally and completely complete.
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By: Carol Betker on March 8, 2017
at 10:54 am
When Jesus said “It is finished” He had completed the perfecting of His saints; in the eyes of the Father we are covered by the righteousness of the Lord Jesus Christ. Praise God!
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By: davidbowerkingwood on March 8, 2017
at 11:18 am
Hallelujah to the lamb that was slain for us!!! I know He has forgiven me; the difficulty is, of course, forgiving myself…😔
When the evil one brings anything to mind, remind him (IMMEDIATELY)
🎵 O, Victory in Jesus, my Savior forever…He sought me and BOUGHT me….🕇🎵 It not only reminds me, but him AND he must flee! 🤗🤗🤗
Thank you for the reminder, David!!
Have a blessed day, Jan
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By: Jan Olmsted on March 9, 2017
at 9:18 am
Jan,
How good to hear from you! You’re right, it is a temptation to figuratively throw rocks at ourselves as we let bad memories haunt us. At a time like that I use the imagery of whatever sin has surfaced in my memory being covered over by the shed blood of Christ. This was the imagery used in the temple when the blood of the sacrifice was sprinkled on the mercy seat of the Ark of the Covenant. Inside the Ark were three symbols of Israel’s sin and when the blood was sprinkled on top of the Ark into the golden laver the sins were symbolically covered by the blood of the sacrifice. In Christ our sins are covered now and forever when Jesus fulfilled His destiny as the Lamb of God that takes away the sins of the world by His death, burial and resurrection.
David
PS I love that hymn.
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By: davidbowerkingwood on March 9, 2017
at 11:51 am
Yes! “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!” Philippians 4:4 is one of my favorite verses, and as I read your post I thought of all the guilt and self recrimination that I heaped upon myself over the years. Thank you so much for this glorious reminder, David. I needed to hear these words again today. I know that God is glorified when we rejoice! It brings Him no glory and is a dishonor to Him for us to live in guilt. So I will sing with Jan: “Oh, Victory in Jesus!” Glorious Savior! He has won the final victory eternally, and I claim that victory for myself! Thank you again. (I even loved reading the comments!) Love you!
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By: beckylagace on March 10, 2017
at 10:37 am
Thank you Becky, we love you too and join with you in rejoicing in our Lord!
David
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By: davidbowerkingwood on March 10, 2017
at 10:49 am