Regrets–I have a Few

Frank Sinatra used to perform a song about doing things “his way,” one phrase in that song was “regrets–I have a few.” I can relate.

When I have a “regret” attack I say a “thank You Lord that I am in the washing machine” prayer. That’s true, you know. Jesus went through the cross experience in order to win the authority to wash souls to perfection. He knows the washing business. He knows the difference between dirt and no-dirt. He has gone to school on suds, on hard-water vs. soft-water, on theories of agitation cycles and soaking times. He is the Maytag of the soul-washing business.

I am an observant kind of fellow. Did you know that? I observe that my soul needs constant washing. My soul thinks stuff and chooses stuff, and dirt just happens. But, because I live in the Washing Machine, my soul just stays washed. The washing power of Jesus always over-powers dirt. His part is to keep on washing me. My part is to keep on trusting Him to do a good job of it. So, I don’t waste time and breath in telling my Washing Machine how dirty I am, I just praise Him for being willing and faithful to keep on washing me–perfectly clean.

If we [freely] admit that we have sinned and confess our sins, He is faithful and just (true to His own nature and promises) and will forgive our sins [dismiss our lawlessness] and [continuously] cleanse us from all unrighteousness [everything not in conformity to His will in purpose, thought, and action]. 1 John 1:9 (AMP)

And such some of you were [once]. But you were washed clean (purified by a complete atonement for sin and made free from the guilt of sin), and you were consecrated (set apart, hallowed), and you were justified [pronounced righteous, by trusting] in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and in the [Holy] Spirit of our God. 1 Corinthians 6:11 (AMP)

For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, it is much more [certain], now that we are reconciled, that we shall be saved (daily delivered from sin’s dominion) through His [resurrection] life. Romans 5:10 (AMP)

For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ all will be made alive. 1 Corinthians 15:22 (NASB)

Okay, so, I’m in the Washing Machine, and I can’t out-sin the washing effectiveness of it. I’m a forgiven-one. That’s really good. Thank You, Lord Jesus. But what about the consequences of my bad choices here on Planet Earth–I have to live with that, don’t I?

Well, no, you don’t. You have a choice available to you. You have the option of receiving training in a  Special Forces unit. You can become a Bond-servant of the Lord Jesus. Not all Christian make it through to graduation, but it was the hope of the Apostle Paul that all would strive for it.

¹ THEREFORE LET us go on and get past the elementary stage in the teachings and doctrine of Christ (the Messiah), advancing steadily toward the completeness and perfection that belong to spiritual maturity. Let us not again be laying the foundation of repentance and abandonment of dead works (dead formalism) and of the faith [by which you turned] to God, ² With teachings about purifying, the laying on of hands, the resurrection from the dead, and eternal judgment and punishment. [These are all matters of which you should have been fully aware long, long ago.] ³ If indeed God permits, we will [now] proceed [to advanced teaching]. Hebrews 6:1-3 (AMP)

So, there is good news! If one learns to cooperate with God in the present, there are things that can be done about our mistakes in the past.

And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. Romans 8:28 (NASB)

Regrets–turned–to good?