By the Grace of God I am what I am.

Sometimes I need reminded.

re·demp·tion

riˈdempSHən/

noun

1.

the action of saving or being saved from sin, error, or evil. "God's plans for the redemption of his world"

synonyms: saving, freeing from sin, absolution More a thing that saves someone from error or evil. "his marginalization from the Hollywood jungle proved to be his redemption"

2.

the action of regaining or gaining possession of something in exchange for payment, or clearing a debt.

synonyms: retrieval, recovery, reclamation, repossession, return More

exchange, cashing in, conversion paying off, paying back, discharge, clearing, honoring fulfillment, carrying out, discharge, performing, honoring, meeting archaic the action of buying one's freedom.

1 Peter 1:18 knowing that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold, 19 but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot. 

Rom. 10:10 For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved.

When we follow the specific plan for salvation that God has laid out in His word, we can be sure that we have been redeemed. Our sin is was washed away during our baptism which represents our old selves being buried. When we come up out of that watery grave we are new and our sins are remembered no more. 

Remembered no more by God. However, we sometimes recall our faults and sins because we have trouble forgiving ourselves or we have shame that is hard to overcome. 

Also people from our past enjoy reminding us of who we once were. I believe that they do this so as not to feel so badly about their sin and actions.

We have to accept God's grace. We have to believe and know that He loves us that much, that those things are gone forever from His mind.

Because of this, we do not have to fear our past.

1 Cor. 7:23 You were bought with a price; do not become bondservants of men. (You do not have to fear what someone says about you.)

OUR SIN IS GONE!!!

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

Are you living your life so that people see a new you? Are you living so that people will not believe slander that people might bring up against you?

Your only answer to them should be the same thing that Paul said when people reminded him of his horrible past of killing faithful Christians, "For I am the least of the apostles, and not fit to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace toward me did not prove vain; but I labored even more than all of them, yet not I, but the grace of God with me. (1 Corinthians 15:9, 10 NASB)"