Your Regrets Cannot Ruin You

[music] [music] >> We all have things we wish we hadn't >> We all have things we wish we hadn't >> We all have things we wish we hadn't done. done. done. Memories that just pop into our heads Memories that just pop into our heads Memories that just pop into our heads 2:00 a.m. in the morning. 2:00 a.m. in the morning. 2:00 a.m. in the morning. Make you cringe for Make you cringe for Make you cringe for how you hurt someone. how you hurt someone. how you hurt someone. And sometimes it's more than just And sometimes it's more than just And sometimes it's more than just cringing. Just a a wash of shame. cringing. Just a a wash of shame. cringing. Just a a wash of shame. This deep heavy feeling that your past This deep heavy feeling that your past This deep heavy feeling that your past is a ghost and that ghost is following is a ghost and that ghost is following is a ghost and that ghost is following you around. A haunting memory you cannot you around. A haunting memory you cannot you around. A haunting memory you cannot forget. forget. forget. But what if the ghost of your past But what if the ghost of your past But what if the ghost of your past doesn't actually have the power to wreck doesn't actually have the power to wreck doesn't actually have the power to wreck your future? your future? your future? Today on Ask Pastor John, why your Today on Ask Pastor John, why your Today on Ask Pastor John, why your regrets regrets regrets cannot ruin you. The question is from a cannot ruin you. The question is from a cannot ruin you. The question is from a young woman. Pastor John, I love this young woman. Pastor John, I love this young woman. Pastor John, I love this podcast and I love that you love the podcast and I love that you love the podcast and I love that you love the Apostle Paul so much. Apostle Paul so much. Apostle Paul so much. My question is about him as I try to get My question is about him as I try to get My question is about him as I try to get into his mind. Romans 8:35-39 is into his mind. Romans 8:35-39 is into his mind. Romans 8:35-39 is glorious to me in listing off the many glorious to me in listing off the many glorious to me in listing off the many things that cannot separate us from the things that cannot separate us from the things that cannot separate us from the love of Christ. He focuses on present love of Christ. He focuses on present love of Christ. He focuses on present suffering. suffering. suffering. Yet Paul never makes mention of the Yet Paul never makes mention of the Yet Paul never makes mention of the past, like past sins, past wrongs past, like past sins, past wrongs past, like past sins, past wrongs against others.

against others. against others. Many people struggle deeply with shame Many people struggle deeply with shame Many people struggle deeply with shame and rumination over memories of their and rumination over memories of their and rumination over memories of their past evils. That's me as well. past evils. That's me as well. past evils. That's me as well. And I know Paul's past was dark, too. And I know Paul's past was dark, too. And I know Paul's past was dark, too. So, is Paul assuming the past has So, is Paul assuming the past has So, is Paul assuming the past has already been dealt with through the already been dealt with through the already been dealt with through the cross or why do you think he does not cross or why do you think he does not cross or why do you think he does not mention past things here in this list of mention past things here in this list of mention past things here in this list of things that cannot separate us from things that cannot separate us from things that cannot separate us from Christ? Christ? Christ? >> [snorts] >> [snorts] >> [snorts] >> I have never >> I have never >> I have never asked myself this question. asked myself this question. asked myself this question. >> Yeah. Yeah. >> Yeah. Yeah. >> Yeah. Yeah. >> I I like questions >> I I like questions >> I I like questions that make me whoa, what what that make me whoa, what what that make me whoa, what what >> [laughter] >> [laughter] >> [laughter] >> What do I think about this? And so it it >> What do I think about this? And so it it >> What do I think about this? And so it it has been very helpful has been very helpful has been very helpful for me to give a little bit of thought for me to give a little bit of thought for me to give a little bit of thought to this. to this. to this. Why does Paul not refer Why does Paul not refer Why does Paul not refer to past sins when he's listing the to past sins when he's listing the to past sins when he's listing the things that cannot separate us things that cannot separate us things that cannot separate us from the love of God? from the love of God? from the love of God? Here's the passage. The the great Here's the passage. The the great Here's the passage. The the great climactic climactic climactic statement at the end of Romans 8. I am statement at the end of Romans 8. I am statement at the end of Romans 8. I am sure sure sure that neither death nor life nor angels that neither death nor life nor angels that neither death nor life nor angels nor rulers nor things present nor rulers nor things present nor rulers nor things present nor things to come nor powers nor height nor things to come nor powers nor height nor things to come nor powers nor height nor depth nor anything else in all nor depth nor anything else in all nor depth nor anything else in all creation creation creation will be able to separate us will be able to separate us will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our from the love of God in Christ Jesus our from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Lord. Lord. Now, Now, Now, as I pondered this question, what struck as I pondered this question, what struck as I pondered this question, what struck me me me is not that Paul doesn't mention past is not that Paul doesn't mention past is not that Paul doesn't mention past sins, sins, sins, but that he doesn't mention any sins. but that he doesn't mention any sins. but that he doesn't mention any sins. He does not say sin He does not say sin He does not say sin will not separate us from the love of will not separate us from the love of will not separate us from the love of God in Christ. God in Christ. God in Christ. Now, why is that? Why doesn't he say Now, why is that? Why doesn't he say Now, why is that? Why doesn't he say sins will not separate us sins will not separate us sins will not separate us from the love of God in Christ? from the love of God in Christ? from the love of God in Christ? And I think Paul would answer like this. And I think Paul would answer like this. And I think Paul would answer like this. I just spent seven chapters. I just spent seven chapters. I just spent seven chapters. >> [laughter] >> [laughter] >> [laughter] >> I just spent seven chapters showing how >> I just spent seven chapters showing how >> I just spent seven chapters showing how God in his mercy has obliterated God in his mercy has obliterated God in his mercy has obliterated the guilt of all your sins past, the guilt of all your sins past, the guilt of all your sins past, present, and future. All of them. present, and future. All of them. present, and future. All of them. This climactic chapter of Romans, the This climactic chapter of Romans, the This climactic chapter of Romans, the great 8, great 8, great 8, begins with the thunderclap summary begins with the thunderclap summary begins with the thunderclap summary of seven chapters. Therefore, of seven chapters. Therefore, of seven chapters. Therefore, there is now no condemnation there is now no condemnation there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. No for those who are in Christ Jesus. No for those who are in Christ Jesus. No condemnation for past sins. No condemnation for past sins. No condemnation for past sins. No condemnation for present sins. No condemnation for present sins. No condemnation for present sins. No condemnation for future sins. Your past condemnation for future sins. Your past condemnation for future sins. Your past sins cannot separate you sins cannot separate you sins cannot separate you from God in Christ.

from God in Christ. from God in Christ. And then I think Paul would add tenderly And then I think Paul would add tenderly And then I think Paul would add tenderly knowing where this person is probably knowing where this person is probably knowing where this person is probably coming from. coming from. coming from. I know about past sins. I know about past sins. I know about past sins. Oh, how I know about past sins. Oh, how I know about past sins. Oh, how I know about past sins. I ravaged the church. I ravaged the church. I ravaged the church. I entered house after house and dragged I entered house after house and dragged I entered house after house and dragged off men and women and committed them to off men and women and committed them to off men and women and committed them to prison and death. I ruined people's prison and death. I ruined people's prison and death. I ruined people's lives. lives. lives. And I boasted in it. And I boasted in it. And I boasted in it. I persecuted the church violently. I persecuted the church violently. I persecuted the church violently. I tried to destroy the very work of God. I tried to destroy the very work of God. I tried to destroy the very work of God. And then he would add I think And then he would add I think And then he would add I think Listen to me, my dear friend, my Listen to me, my dear friend, my Listen to me, my dear friend, my burdened friend. burdened friend. burdened friend. The saying is trustworthy The saying is trustworthy The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance and deserving of full acceptance and deserving of full acceptance that Christ Jesus came into the world to that Christ Jesus came into the world to that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost.

save sinners, of whom I am the foremost. save sinners, of whom I am the foremost. I received mercy for this reason that in I received mercy for this reason that in I received mercy for this reason that in me as the foremost, Jesus Christ might me as the foremost, Jesus Christ might me as the foremost, Jesus Christ might display his perfect patience as an display his perfect patience as an display his perfect patience as an example to those who were to believe in example to those who were to believe in example to those who were to believe in him for eternal life. That's 1 Timothy him for eternal life. That's 1 Timothy him for eternal life. That's 1 Timothy 1:15. 1:15. 1:15. That's you. That's you. That's you. That's you. God saved a killer of That's you. God saved a killer of That's you. God saved a killer of Christians so that we would know and Christians so that we would know and Christians so that we would know and feel feel feel what God has done with past sins what God has done with past sins what God has done with past sins and sinners like Paul. Uh that's why and sinners like Paul. Uh that's why and sinners like Paul. Uh that's why he ordained for Paul to be chosen in the he ordained for Paul to be chosen in the he ordained for Paul to be chosen in the womb and then saved after he becomes a womb and then saved after he becomes a womb and then saved after he becomes a murderer. Mhm. So that we would take murderer. Mhm. So that we would take murderer. Mhm. So that we would take heart and not despair over our past. heart and not despair over our past. heart and not despair over our past. And would not Jesus step in at this And would not Jesus step in at this And would not Jesus step in at this point point point and add, and add, and add, "Remember the woman at the well. "Remember the woman at the well. "Remember the woman at the well. She had five husbands She had five husbands She had five husbands and was living with a lover.

and was living with a lover. and was living with a lover. What a wreckage What a wreckage What a wreckage she has left in her life. she has left in her life. she has left in her life. And he gave her living water And he gave her living water And he gave her living water and she lived and she lived and she lived and she was new. and she was new. and she was new. And then wouldn't Jesus remind us of the And then wouldn't Jesus remind us of the And then wouldn't Jesus remind us of the woman who was wiping his feet with her woman who was wiping his feet with her woman who was wiping his feet with her tears and her hair. tears and her hair. tears and her hair. I tell you, I tell you, I tell you, her sins, which are many, her sins, which are many, her sins, which are many, are forgiven. are forgiven. are forgiven. But he who is forgiven little, But he who is forgiven little, But he who is forgiven little, he says to Simon the Pharisee, he says to Simon the Pharisee, he says to Simon the Pharisee, loves little. loves little. loves little. Her past sins were not producing Her past sins were not producing Her past sins were not producing paralyzing remorse. paralyzing remorse. paralyzing remorse. They were producing humility and love. They were producing humility and love. They were producing humility and love. Let the word all Let the word all Let the word all sink in from Colossians 2:13. All. sink in from Colossians 2:13. All. sink in from Colossians 2:13. All. God has forgiven God has forgiven God has forgiven all our trespasses, all of them. all our trespasses, all of them. all our trespasses, all of them. By canceling our record of debt. This he By canceling our record of debt. This he By canceling our record of debt. This he set aside, set aside, set aside, nailing it to the cross.

nailing it to the cross. nailing it to the cross. Same word. Let it sink in. All. In 1 Same word. Let it sink in. All. In 1 Same word. Let it sink in. All. In 1 John 1:7, John 1:7, John 1:7, the blood of Jesus, God's son, cleanses the blood of Jesus, God's son, cleanses the blood of Jesus, God's son, cleanses us from us from us from all sin. What a precious word. What an absolutely What a precious word. What an absolutely precious word. Let it precious word. Let it precious word. Let it sink to the bottom of your troubled sink to the bottom of your troubled sink to the bottom of your troubled heart. heart. heart. All of it. All of it forgiven, canceled, All of it. All of it forgiven, canceled, All of it. All of it forgiven, canceled, nailed to the cross, cleansed. nailed to the cross, cleansed. nailed to the cross, cleansed. Why is God Why is God Why is God willing to do this? willing to do this? willing to do this? And he tells us in Isaiah 43:25, And he tells us in Isaiah 43:25, And he tells us in Isaiah 43:25, "I "I "I I am he who blots out your I am he who blots out your I am he who blots out your transgressions transgressions transgressions for my own sake. for my own sake. for my own sake. And I will not remember your sins." And I will not remember your sins." And I will not remember your sins." I won't. I won't. I won't. For my own sake. For my own sake. For my own sake. In other words, why? Why does he act In other words, why? Why does he act In other words, why? Why does he act like this? Why does he save us like like this? Why does he save us like like this? Why does he save us like this?

this? this? For the glory of his grace. That's why. For the glory of his grace. That's why. For the glory of his grace. That's why. That we would spend eternity That we would spend eternity That we would spend eternity making much of the glory of the grace of making much of the glory of the grace of making much of the glory of the grace of God God God in the blotting out of our sin. in the blotting out of our sin. in the blotting out of our sin. If you're a Christian, If you're a Christian, If you're a Christian, if you're in Christ Jesus, if you're in Christ Jesus, if you're in Christ Jesus, nothing nothing nothing absolutely nothing in your past absolutely nothing in your past absolutely nothing in your past can ruin your life. can ruin your life. can ruin your life. Let that sink in. Let that sink in. Let that sink in. There is a difference There is a difference There is a difference between your past and what you make of between your past and what you make of between your past and what you make of your past. your past. your past. It isn't past sins It isn't past sins It isn't past sins that will condemn the Christian. that will condemn the Christian. that will condemn the Christian. It's not believing It's not believing It's not believing that those past sins are forgiven. that those past sins are forgiven. that those past sins are forgiven. What a difference. What a difference. What a difference. That's the issue, whether you believe That's the issue, whether you believe That's the issue, whether you believe it. it. it. It might It might feel like it's the It might It might feel like it's the It might It might feel like it's the past sins that are ruining you. That's past sins that are ruining you. That's past sins that are ruining you. That's not true. not true. not true. It is not true. It is not the past sins It is not true. It is not the past sins It is not true. It is not the past sins that are ruining you. It's what you're that are ruining you. It's what you're that are ruining you. It's what you're doing with those past sins right now doing with those past sins right now doing with those past sins right now that is ruining you or not.

that is ruining you or not. that is ruining you or not. God has dealt with the sin. God has dealt with the sin. God has dealt with the sin. He's dealt with it, and he's urging us He's dealt with it, and he's urging us He's dealt with it, and he's urging us to believe him, to believe him, to believe him, to rest in him, to enjoy what he's done to rest in him, to enjoy what he's done to rest in him, to enjoy what he's done for us. for us. for us. Now, let's be Let's be really honest. Now, let's be Let's be really honest. Now, let's be Let's be really honest. You might have sinned against someone so You might have sinned against someone so You might have sinned against someone so badly badly badly that you ruined that you ruined that you ruined much of much of much of his or her life. his or her life. his or her life. Maybe you ruined them financially. Maybe you ruined them financially. Maybe you ruined them financially. Maybe you ruined them physically. Maybe Maybe you ruined them physically. Maybe Maybe you ruined them physically. Maybe you were driving drunk you were driving drunk you were driving drunk and you hit someone and you hit someone and you hit someone and they're now paralyzed for the rest and they're now paralyzed for the rest and they're now paralyzed for the rest of their life. And it is totally understandable. Oh, And it is totally understandable. Oh, yes, it is. yes, it is. yes, it is. That the memory That the memory That the memory of this can be crushing. of this can be crushing. of this can be crushing. But I'll say it again. But I'll say it again. But I'll say it again. God has dealt with that God has dealt with that God has dealt with that at the level of guilt at the level of guilt at the level of guilt and the guilt is taken away.

and the guilt is taken away. and the guilt is taken away. Therefore, Therefore, Therefore, the effect of the memory the effect of the memory the effect of the memory should not be a consciousness of should not be a consciousness of should not be a consciousness of damnation or guilt. damnation or guilt. damnation or guilt. It should be it can be It should be it can be It should be it can be regret. regret. regret. What a difference between guilt What a difference between guilt What a difference between guilt and regret. Regret and guilt are not the and regret. Regret and guilt are not the and regret. Regret and guilt are not the same. Regret is proper. same. Regret is proper. same. Regret is proper. We would be callous We would be callous We would be callous and hard-hearted and hard-hearted and hard-hearted if we did not feel regret for the hurt if we did not feel regret for the hurt if we did not feel regret for the hurt that we have caused people. that we have caused people. that we have caused people. But there is regret that leads to death But there is regret that leads to death But there is regret that leads to death and there is regret that leads to life. and there is regret that leads to life. and there is regret that leads to life. And the regret that leads to life is And the regret that leads to life is And the regret that leads to life is built on the promises of God. built on the promises of God. built on the promises of God. The promises of grace working in us The promises of grace working in us The promises of grace working in us what is humanly impossible, namely what is humanly impossible, namely what is humanly impossible, namely that we are able to press on with life that we are able to press on with life that we are able to press on with life even fruitfully.

even fruitfully. even fruitfully. Not just surviving, Not just surviving, Not just surviving, but living humbly and lovingly and but living humbly and lovingly and but living humbly and lovingly and productively. productively. productively. Let me close with this. This may be hard Let me close with this. This may be hard Let me close with this. This may be hard to grasp, but I'll bet many of you who to grasp, but I'll bet many of you who to grasp, but I'll bet many of you who have wrestled with these things know have wrestled with these things know have wrestled with these things know what I'm talking about. what I'm talking about. what I'm talking about. There will always be There will always be There will always be a sad part of our lives a sad part of our lives a sad part of our lives when we realize what we have done to when we realize what we have done to when we realize what we have done to offend God and hurt others. offend God and hurt others. offend God and hurt others. It's like a plaintive strain in the It's like a plaintive strain in the It's like a plaintive strain in the melody of our lives. It never goes away. melody of our lives. It never goes away. melody of our lives. It never goes away. The sorrowful tone in the music. The sorrowful tone in the music. The sorrowful tone in the music. But not a joyless sorrow. But not a joyless sorrow. But not a joyless sorrow. That's the scar That's the scar That's the scar that is left from the wound of sin. that is left from the wound of sin. that is left from the wound of sin. But that sadness, that scar, But that sadness, that scar, But that sadness, that scar, need not paralyze us, need not paralyze us, need not paralyze us, but actually but actually but actually actually can sweeten actually can sweeten actually can sweeten and deepen and deepen and deepen our humility, our brokenness, our our humility, our brokenness, our our humility, our brokenness, our empathy, our compassion, our love for empathy, our compassion, our love for empathy, our compassion, our love for other people other people other people and for God.

and for God. and for God. God doesn't waste anything. God doesn't waste anything. God doesn't waste anything. He wants you to trust him He wants you to trust him He wants you to trust him and live. and live. and live. >> Yes, trust him and live free from all >> Yes, trust him and live free from all >> Yes, trust him and live free from all those past regrets. Think about Pastor those past regrets. Think about Pastor those past regrets. Think about Pastor John. John. John. This is the greatest news in the world This is the greatest news in the world This is the greatest news in the world for redeemed sinners, for Christian. for redeemed sinners, for Christian. for redeemed sinners, for Christian. It is not the weight of past sins that It is not the weight of past sins that It is not the weight of past sins that causes ruin, but rather the failure to causes ruin, but rather the failure to causes ruin, but rather the failure to believe and accept that God has already believe and accept that God has already believe and accept that God has already forgiven us that causes the problems. forgiven us that causes the problems. forgiven us that causes the problems. So, while Christians may live with a So, while Christians may live with a So, while Christians may live with a plaintive strain of regret for the plaintive strain of regret for the plaintive strain of regret for the earthly consequences of their actions, earthly consequences of their actions, earthly consequences of their actions, we must distinguish that healthy sorrow we must distinguish that healthy sorrow we must distinguish that healthy sorrow from the false belief that our past from the false belief that our past from the false belief that our past still carries a verdict of condemnation still carries a verdict of condemnation still carries a verdict of condemnation over us. It doesn't. over us. It doesn't. over us. It doesn't. In Christ, your regrets cannot ruin you. In Christ, your regrets cannot ruin you. In Christ, your regrets cannot ruin you. And that's because the one damning And that's because the one damning And that's because the one damning weapon that Satan could use over us, weapon that Satan could use over us, weapon that Satan could use over us, that he wielded over us as unbelievers, that he wielded over us as unbelievers, that he wielded over us as unbelievers, his accusation of your unforgiven sins, his accusation of your unforgiven sins, his accusation of your unforgiven sins, that has been stripped out of his hands that has been stripped out of his hands that has been stripped out of his hands by Christ.

by Christ. by Christ. One of two weapons that Satan has lost One of two weapons that Satan has lost One of two weapons that Satan has lost over us, and for more on those weapons over us, and for more on those weapons over us, and for more on those weapons now rendered powerless, see the aspect now rendered powerless, see the aspect now rendered powerless, see the aspect of John book on page 334 for more on of John book on page 334 for more on of John book on page 334 for more on those two weapons rendered powerless by those two weapons rendered powerless by those two weapons rendered powerless by Christ. Selfies Selfies in the end times. in the end times. in the end times. That's next. That's next. That's next. I'm Tony Rankin, we'll see you on I'm Tony Rankin, we'll see you on I'm Tony Rankin, we'll see you on Thursday.