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The Past You Can't Outrun

"But now thus saith the LORD that created thee, O Jacob, and he that formed thee, O Israel, Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine."

Isaiah 43:1 (KJV)

For 27 years, I did my own thing. I had a alcohol and drug addiction. I wasted my life away in the streets. I had a reputation that introduced me before I ever opened my mouth.

For a long time I let it. I figured the worst thing I ever did was the truest thing about me.

Maybe you know that feeling. Your worst chapter walks into the room before you do. Maybe for you it's the addict, or the one everybody already wrote off.

A label is just what people call you. It was never what God named you.

God doesn't read your rap sheet. Look at what He says over you in Isaiah.

"I have called thee by thy name. Thou art mine." While the streets still had me as one person, God had already called me son.

At the cross, Jesus took your record off you completely.

"Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross."
Colossians 2:14 (KJV)

That handwriting was every charge against you, the ones on paper and the ones that never made it to paper. Jesus nailed all of it to the cross two thousand years ago, and the case that had your name on it is closed.

  • You're not what happened to you. You're what happened at the cross.

Here's how you start answering to your name today.

1. Stop introducing yourself by your record.

When the old label tries to talk first, answer it with the name God gave you instead. He calls you redeemed. He calls you His.

2. Quit waiting on the people who only knew the old you.

Some of them will never update their picture of you. That's alright. You don't need their stamp. God already signed off at the cross.

3. When the past plays back tonight, preach Colossians 2:14 to yourself.

The record that was against you got nailed up and carried off. You don't live at that address anymore.

"Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross."

Colossians 2:14 (KJV)

PRAYER

Father God, I've been wearing a name people gave me that You never agreed to.

I've let my worst chapter walk in the room ahead of me for years.

Thank You that You know my whole record and still called me by name.

I'm not what I did. I'm who You say I am.

Thank You that You took the charges against me and nailed them to the cross.

Today I answer to the name You gave me, not the one they filed me under.

In Jesus' precious name we pray. Amen.