You’re Not Too Far Gone: How God Redeems Your Past

The Lie of Being “Too Far Gone”

If you’ve ever felt disqualified, disowned, or too broken for God to use — you’re not alone. But the truth is, God specializes in redemption. Let’s explore how.

The Gospel is for everyone. No one, no matter how far they are from God, is beyond His love. No matter what you’ve done, or what you currently do, God is always awaiting your return. Not only is He waiting for you, He is running toward you. All you have to do is turn to Him. 

Biblical Redemption Stories That Prove God Still Uses You

Redemption isn’t a one-time fluke. It’s a pattern — again and again, God meets people in their worst moments and writes a better story. Let’s look at just a few of the many times this pattern played out:

• Moses was a murderer before God called him to free the Israelites. He had been living in hiding for decades from what he did. And then God called him, redeemed him, and used him for greatness.

• David did a lot of things right. He also did a lot of things wrong. The biggest stain on his legacy was his adultery with Bathsheba, and how he murdered her husband. And yet, he repented, and God still used him. He is known as a man after God’s own heart.

• Paul hunted down and persecuted Christians. He was greatly feared by the church. And yet, God called him. He repented, and spent the rest of his life growing the Church like no one else.

Perhaps the best example of redemption is the parable of the Prodigal Son. The son spat in his father’s face. He squandered his money, living in folly and sin. He decided to return to his father, thinking maybe his father would give him a place to stay and food to eat, letting him work among the servants. And yet, despite what he did, his father ran to him with open arms, celebrating his return (Luke 15:11-32).

What True Redemption Really Means

God is not squeamish. He is not easily triggered. He can look directly at your darkest moments and love you fiercely anyway. 

When you choose to follow God, He does not look at you based on your past. He looks at you based on what Christ did (Romans 8:1, 2 Corinthians 5:21). The moment you give your life to Jesus, His blood washes over you and cleanses you. You quite literally become new — even if you don’t feel it yet. God treats you as if your past never happened. You are a completely clean slate. His grace covers every sinful action, thought, or word you could ever have.

How God Transforms Your Past

That being said, God doesn’t cover up your past — He repurposes it. He transforms the skeletons in your closet to perfectly-tailored outfits — not to hide your past, but to reveal how far He’s brought you. They become outfits that you wear to express His beauty. Instead of hiding your past, God will use the story of your past to connect with others who are currently where you used to be. By being open and raw with them about your past (and how God saved you from it), you can move them in a way that no one else can. That is true redemption — not an erasure, but a total transformation (Romans 8:28).

The Process of Restoration and Identity in Christ

The process of restoration, at its core, is the journey of seeing yourself the way God sees you. 

It starts by acknowledging your sin, turning to God, and asking for His help. The moment you turn to Him, He sees you as redeemed. 

The quicker you align with that identity, the better. You are no longer a slave to sin — you don’t have to obey it anymore. 

When you do sin, remember — that sin is not a part of your identity. You are not your sin. You are who God says you are. 

You are:

• Loved (Romans 5:8)

• Chosen (1 Peter 2:9)

• Powerful (2 Timothy 1:7)

• Royalty (Romans 8:17)

• Righteous (2 Corinthians 5:21) 

Don’t hide in shame. God has already forgiven you, redeemed you, and moved on. Don’t let the sin and shame keep you locked down. Instead, confess your sin to those close to you. Lean on them for support and accountability. 

Finally, let God use your story. Don’t hide away your sin and pretend it didn’t happen. Tell your story. Tell the details. People will relate to it and find freedom in it. Use your redemption to spread redemption to others. 

Take a moment today to ask yourself: have you accepted God’s redemption? If not, run to Him. 

Feeling stuck in shame? You're not alone — and you're not too far gone. If you're wrestling with your past or struggling to believe that God could still use you, we’re here to walk with you. Book a free call with us today. Let’s talk about what redemption looks like in real life — not just on paper. Your story’s not over. Let's take the next step together.