Nothing from your past can hold you there…
Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. II Corinthians 5:17
We have all heard the expression “everyone has a past”. (it’s true)
In the life of a child of God we have sincere faith that the Lord has forgiven us of our past sin and unbelief. As a matter of fact, this is at the core of the teachings of Jesus Christ and the gospel/good news that He brought into the world.
Jesus and the Apostles taught about a “born again” experience. In John 3:3-7 Jesus expressed it this way: “Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother’s womb, and be born?
Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.
That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.”
The words “see” and “enter” are used referring to the kingdom of God… meaning to comprehend, experience, or to participate in.
This born-again experience is a lot about having another chance, starting new, having a new beginning in regard to one’s relationship with the Lord. Thank Him for His grace and mercy!
With sin forgiven, being released from the bondage of sin (including guilt, shame, disgrace, and regret) one can continue to be a disciple of Jesus Christ with eternal purpose and destiny. We certainly could not do this if our “past” is holding us in the bondage of self-condemnation.
It doesn’t matter what our “past” looked like, God’s grace and salvation is sufficient to release us and place us in His abundant love and mercy! Those that experience this will testify of the joy and peace that comes with this deliverance.
Oh, but sometimes our “past” still “shows up” in our heart and mind. And unfortunately, somebody else may remind us of our “past” with words of shame, criticism, and judgement.
Another source of condemnation is the enemy of our soul, satan, who sends “messages” somehow into our mind.
So, what is the answer to such accusations of guilt, feelings of shame and regret, and even the “messages” of doom from satan? Let us go to the Word of God, the scripture.
“There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit”. Romans 8:1
“If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed”. John 8:36
When the accuser, satan, sends the message that we remain condemned because of our “past”; we must depend upon, God’s grace, the truth of scripture, our born-again experience, and our knowledge of previous application of the scripture in our life.
Nothing in your “past” can hold you there! God has loved you, delivered you, started you on your faith journey and as long as you are going in the direction that He set you on…He’s got your back.
Don’t be afraid, don’t slow down, don’t look back with fear, don’t allow your “past” to stop your progress, and don’t let your “past” breed doubt concerning your future!
The same merciful God who brought you out will preserve you and keep you in His love. The same grace that brought us out of darkness will continue to lead us into the light.
God’s goodness and mercy follows us all the days of our life! (Psalm 23) Believe this!
This is not a “hope so”, “maybe” …no…this is “surely goodness and mercy shall follow me”!
No past sin,
No past failure,
No past abuse,
No past habit,
No past lifestyle,
No past bad experience,
No past “record”,
can separate us from the love of God! We are free from our “past”!
Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. II Corinthians 5:17
D L Rogers