Sunday, November 2, 2008

God Let it Past

God Let it Past
August 11, 2008

Psalm 103:12 "as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our [sins] from us."

There is an old phrase that says, "let bygones, be bygones." Another way of saying it might be, "let the past stay in the past." Some might suggest the phrase is, "like water under a bridge." Any way you want to say it, the point is the same. Yes, we can learn from the past, but once it is gone, it should stay gone. We cannot live in the past, nor can we dwell on what has happened in our lives. There has to be a point of moving farther, beyond that of our previous failures, mistakes, and sins.

Imagine you are to embark on a new era in your life--school, marriage, job, birth. And every time you started the new journey, you carried with you a large black suitcase or piece of luggage that could only be moved on wheels. Now imagine how silly it would be to lug that black suitcase down the aisle with you before you said your vows, or how crazy it would be to sit in the interview office, anticipating a great new career, peering over the suitcase on your lap. It is ridiculous to picture, but that is what each of us does when we don't leave the past in the past. If we don't let it stay in the past, then we will be forced to drag it with us wherever we go.

The Bible says if we will confess our sins, God is faithful to forgive them. If God has forgiven you, then why would you keep bringing up the past? God doesn't bring up the past, not if He has already forgotten it. You might say to God, "remember the time when....." His response will be the same every time, "what are you talking about?" This is one thing God can't do, remember the past. The Bible is very clear that His character does not keep a record of your wrong doings. He is quick to severe your past from your present but for some reason we keep hanging on to it.

If you have unconfessed sin in your life or there are mistakes you'd like to erase, make sure you are honest with yourself regarding them and take them before God. Ask Him to forgive you AND give you the ability to forgive yourself. Once He has forgiven you and forgotten about it, then I suggest you do the same. Learn from the past and vow to never repeat it, but don't carry it with you wherever you go. Don't start the next journey with your luggage; you look silly with that big, ugly suitcase in your lap.

1. Have something in your past that you'd like to get rid of?
2. Have you asked God for forgiveness and forgiven yourself?

Additional Scriptures for Study: Psalm 32:5, Matthew 9, John 8:36, I John 1:9, I Cor 13:5.

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