Can My Mistakes Really Be Wiped Away?

Mark: Stay with me if you're tired of carrying a mistake around. Can it really be forgiven?

Sarah: I wondered the same thing. This is from a letter called Ephesians, traditionally credited to Paul, in the middle of a long burst of praise to God. Listen.

Scripture: in whom we have our redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace,

Mark: That's a lot of big words. What's it actually saying, in plain English?

Sarah: The letter says we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of God's grace.

Mark: But you don't know what I've done. Some of it I'd never say out loud. Doesn't that put me past the reach of a verse like this?

Sarah: I hear you, and I'm not judging. I carry my own pile of regrets. What keeps me steady isn't my record. It's Jesus, through whose blood we have redemption.

Mark: Okay, but who's this even for? People who already have their lives together?

Sarah: Right before it, the letter says God chose us in Christ and predestined us for adoption as his children. Adopted as children, and later in the passage, given an inheritance. That's a family, not a performance review.

Mark: So what do I do with that? I honestly wouldn't know where to start.

Sarah: One way to start is talking to God honestly, in a few plain words. Something like, God, I want to know you. No big speech needed.

Mark: And if I do that and still feel the weight some days?

Sarah: Then tell him that too. I don't have every answer, but I'd rather you ask honestly than carry it alone. I'm here to talk anytime.

Sarah: Whatever you're carrying today, this passage says God chose us in Christ and predestined us for adoption as his children. Follow along, and we'll keep working through the real questions together.