One of the Bible’s greatest truths is that God knows all about us, and no matter what we have done or what has happened to us in the past, our lives can be different if we will only let Him take control.

Why is this? If I could tell you only one thing about God it would be this: God loves you. Think of it! No matter how many times we go astray or how much we mess up our lives, He still loves us and yearns for us to turn to Him. And when we do, He forgives the past and comes to live within us and change us by His Spirit. His promise is true: “I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you” (Ezekiel 36:26).

All of this is possible because of Jesus Christ. In just a few days, we will be celebrating the birth of Jesus over 2,000 years ago—an event that changed human history. But this same Jesus (who was God in human flesh) wants to come into our hearts and be born into our lives today—and when He does, our lives will be changed. Jesus came, the Bible says, so we “may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me” (Acts 26:18).

Don’t be a captive to the past. Instead, by faith ask Jesus Christ to come into your life today—and He will. Then ask Him to help you follow Him every day, for His way is always best.