The world will tell us that the dominating influence in our life is our past. If we came from a difficult home life, that will determine the direction of our life. If our culture has treated us unfairly, that will dictate the condition of our life today. If we were hurt or abused or if our youth was spent in rebellion, the remainder of our life will be spent in struggling with our past. I believe the world is preoccupied with the past because it faces an uncertain future.
Christians, on the other hand, are supposed to live in freedom because Christ has overcome our past. The "old things" have been done away with and "new things" have come. See 2 Cor 5:17. God has so totally forgiven the Christian's sin that He chooses not to remember it. Christians do not forget the past; but we should not be controlled or motivated by it. Christians should be looking to the future with hope!
"Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead." Philippians 3:13.
The people of the world today focus on what they are overcoming. Christians should focus on what they are becoming. Christians should know that the Holy Spirit is conforming them into the image of Christ. Christians should know that ultimately they will stand before Christ to give an account of their actions and will spend an eternity in the presence of God. Christians should know that eventually every injustice will be addressed and every hurt comforted. Christians should know that Satan, and death itself, will finally be brought to an end. The Christian's future is so full and rich and exciting that it supersedes whatever happened in the past. However, many of us "Christians" do not know all that has been mentioned because we are too focused on our past. Many of us allow our past to determine our future. Many of us make the decision that I cannot let go of the past as it makes me who I am. Friends, be careful of the lies of this world.
If you are preoccupied with your past, ask God to open your eyes to the incredible future that awaits you and begin, like Paul, to press on to what is ahead. Ask Jesus to remind you that old things have passed and new things have come. Ask Jesus to transform you by the renewing of your mind. Then, begin to diligently study God's Word and ask God to seal all His promises to your heart that you will always be pressing forward, and not back!
May God Richly Bless You Today!! H Trent!
Christians, on the other hand, are supposed to live in freedom because Christ has overcome our past. The "old things" have been done away with and "new things" have come. See 2 Cor 5:17. God has so totally forgiven the Christian's sin that He chooses not to remember it. Christians do not forget the past; but we should not be controlled or motivated by it. Christians should be looking to the future with hope!
"Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead." Philippians 3:13.
The people of the world today focus on what they are overcoming. Christians should focus on what they are becoming. Christians should know that the Holy Spirit is conforming them into the image of Christ. Christians should know that ultimately they will stand before Christ to give an account of their actions and will spend an eternity in the presence of God. Christians should know that eventually every injustice will be addressed and every hurt comforted. Christians should know that Satan, and death itself, will finally be brought to an end. The Christian's future is so full and rich and exciting that it supersedes whatever happened in the past. However, many of us "Christians" do not know all that has been mentioned because we are too focused on our past. Many of us allow our past to determine our future. Many of us make the decision that I cannot let go of the past as it makes me who I am. Friends, be careful of the lies of this world.
If you are preoccupied with your past, ask God to open your eyes to the incredible future that awaits you and begin, like Paul, to press on to what is ahead. Ask Jesus to remind you that old things have passed and new things have come. Ask Jesus to transform you by the renewing of your mind. Then, begin to diligently study God's Word and ask God to seal all His promises to your heart that you will always be pressing forward, and not back!
May God Richly Bless You Today!! H Trent!
Comments
Post a Comment