Forgetting the Past
Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the
Philippians 3:13-14
goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.
Are there events in your past that you find difficult to forget, that are on your mind too often? Are there people in your past that you know you need to forgive but find it difficult? Everyone that has lived has things they wish they could forget, things they wish had never happened, things that have left deep scars. The Lord wants us to be free from the past with a forgiving heart, knowing the world cannot hurt us anymore. He wants us to press on with the goal of eternal life.
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! (2 Corinthians 5:17) We are born again when we accept Christ and receive the Holy Spirit. Jesus answered and said to him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.” (John 3:3) We are not the same person before Christ, because God lives in us and changes us to be the person we were created to be. The world around us will recognize this new person, filled with God’s love and compassion and having a caring and respectful heart. We are a new creation, born of God, and the person we used to be no longer exists. This leads to freedom from the past.
A Christian lives with the attitude that the world cannot hurt him. The Lord is with me; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me? (Psalm 118:6) Christians live for eternity and have overcome the fear of death, because physical death means eternal life. We know that anyone born of God does not continue to sin; the One who was born of God keeps them safe, and the evil one cannot harm them. (John 5:18) It is important that our soul remains connected to God, because our souls, minds, and thoughts are spiritual and live forever.
Living for our eternal homes as the Lord’s servants gives us the attitude that the world cannot hurt us. However there are times when family, a Christian brother or sister, can hurt us emotionally; but this hurt is toned down with a Christian who is secure in Christ and has a forgiving and ministering heart. We are sustained by God’s perfect love and acceptance of us, and we seek to reflect the Lord’s unconditional love in all situations. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another. (John 13:35) We always seek to reflect the Lord’s love, but we stand strong in his Word, reflecting his truth and never compromising with Satan’s lies.
Today know that if you accepted Christ as your Lord and Savior that you are a new Creation in Christ and that you are becoming the person God created you to be; to be Christ-like. The person you used to be is gone and replaced by the person God created, a person that reflects the Lord’s unconditional love. People will notice the love, peace, joy, confidence, and security that is from God.
Let’s Pray: Lord, help me to forget the past and move into the future as a new creation in Christ. Give me the strength to have a fully forgiving heart, knowing the world can no longer hurt me because I am secure in your love and heaven is my home. Thank you Lord, for the Spirit gives me your strength, love, and security. In Jesus name, Amen