Sins of the Past

As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us. (Psalm 103:12 NAS)

Former porn star Crissy (not her real name), and recent lead actress of the movie 'Oversold' by sumoJACK and Elevation Church, told the world in 2006 she has given up the adult industry to follow Jesus.

"I have decided that I want to be free from all of the guilt ... I want out of the business. I have so much more to offer to the world than my looks and body ... I want to experience true real life happiness ... to go back to my one true love who is Jesus. You may or may not believe in Him and ... I am not here to judge you. I am just here to share with you my story if you are willing to listen,¹" said Crissy. "I left the adult business on October 6, 2006 when I made a public declaration to my fans. From that point on I didn't take any more money from the web site which was my main income, I didn't shoot another nude photo, or do another movie. Unfortunately, my past will always be there. Part of being involved in such a business involves signing your rights away to companies and web sites. They have a business to run and realize that sooner or later girls will want out so they have their bases covered from a business sense. That is the hardest thing for me at the moment because I have completely turned my life around but yet my past will forever haunt me. I do know however that what Satan has meant for evil, God can use for good. As bad as it might be I know it has led many to see my testimony. My goal now is to use my old broken life to reach out to others and help encourage other people who have struggles and let them know you can overcome them.²"

Like Crissy, some of us may be unable to forgive ourselves for the things we have done in the past, and may think we are beyond hope to expect God to forgive us. Perhaps our past may be too difficult for us to erase or there may be some areas in our lives we hope we can hide forever. Unfortunately, certain things in life can never be the same again and our past tends to haunt us even after we have determined to put them behind us. Regardless the guilt, the shame or the sense of unworthiness we may feel, we must not lose heart, because God can heal us, touch us, and change our lives. Our past may be hurting us even till this day, but we need not fear, for God is willing and is able to forgive us of all our sins.

For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life. For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world might be saved through Him. (John 3:16-17 NAS)

If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. (1 John 1:9 NAS)

And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous; and He Himself is the propitiation for our sins; and not for ours only, but also for those of the whole world. (1 John 2:1b-2 NAS)

Experiences of our past, whether good or bad, can be used by God to do great things for the present and the future if we are willing to let Him work in our lives. Just as God is able to see Crissy through the healing journey from her past to look forward to the future in using her experiences to serve Him in the Treasures ministry, which vision is to help women working in the sex industry break free from the chains of bondage and to heal their wounds through personal relationship with Jesus Christ, God can also heal us of the painful memories of our unhappy past. Once we have determined in our hearts to live our lives for the Lord from now on and to crown Jesus as our Lord and Savior, we will no longer need to fear or be plagued by our unhappy past (Hebrews 8:12; 10:17), for as far as the east is from the west, so far has God removed our transgressions from us (Psalm 103:12). God will certainly grant us victory and turn our sorrow into joy.

Dear Lord, forgive us for the things we have done in our past that not only hurt us, but also hurt others. Release us Lord from the chains of our bondage and set us free. Heal our hearts, our minds and our wounds Lord as we put You first in our lives from now on. Lead us in Your path to know Your plans for our lives and direct us to the place and ministry where we can help others build a personal relationship with You.

¹ SMNnews Forum (2006). Crissy M. quits porn. Accessed June 26, 2009.
² Guardian Angel (2009). About Crissy M. Accessed June 26, 2009.