Tuesday, May 28, 2024
Don't live in the past
It is basic advice for every Christian. It works in lots of life situations, but for Christians it is the basis for how we live in this world.
Live for today.
But to do that, you cannot live in the past.
Your past is past. Don't live there anymore. Do not stay shackled to the "good ol days". They may not not have been as good as you think, but they also rob you of today. It is hard to enjoy adult children when all you can think about is how great it was when they were little. Hard to see what God is doing in your community of faith when all you think about is how great church was thirty years ago. Same principle applies to marriage, your job, and every other area of your life. Living in the past -- even when it was good -- will rob you of the present.
And if you have a "past", let it go. Jesus died to forgive your sins. Your sins were washed away in baptism, God is faithful to forgive your sins when you confess them. The blood of Jesus cleanses you. Live in grace. Do not be harder on yourself than God is. Accept forgiveness. Which means you cannot dwell in your past.
If Satan cannot get you to repeat your past sins, then he will try to get you to live in the regret, shame, and guilt of that past. Don't do it.
Get past your past.
So you can live in today.
With an eye on the future.
