LETTING GO OF THE PAST

One important thing that new Christians are not taught how to do is let go of the past. There are many things that are all around us that unless told we might consider harmless.

The Lord does not remember what we did in the past once we are saved. He is concerned with what we do now that we know Him. It is hard though to find lessons in the Bible that teach us how to let go of things from the past. The Bible has many lessons on what to do now.

Let us look at Ephesians 2: 1-5

1 And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; 2 Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: 3 Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others. 4 But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, 5 Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)

What though of the things we do not know are wrong? How many of us after being saved continued to read our daily horoscope in the paper? That is only one, the list can be very long. Our favorite movie may no longer be acceptable in the eyes of Jesus. What books do we have that are not correct as a Christian, music, art?
Once a person is saved they need to clean out their homes. Getting rid of that which does not line up with the Christian walk. And this does not mean give it to your cousin that loves that music. Older Christians need to check and make sure that something worldly has not come into their homes.

My oldest daughter had brought unknowing to me a box of items of witch craft into my home. There was a spirit of evil I could feel in my home. It was after careful search that the Lord led me to a box she had packed up.

As new believer how do we know what needs to go. Earnestly seek the Lord. We need to talk to God about every area of our lives. God will reveal to you what needs to go. Walk through your home and say Lord is this okay, what about this. Lord is there anything here that does not line up with You.

What about those we have offended in the past. For an example you owe money to someone and have never paid it back. Go to them and apologize and make it right or tell them you will make it right, and then do it. It will be hard for someone to believe you are a new creature in Christ if you are still acting the same way.

There are some matters that are best left alone. If it would only cause more harm to tell someone then it might be best left unspoken. There are some areas that you might need to speak with an elder or mentor about to decide what is the best action on your part.

One of the problems that I personally had was thoughts of past actions that kept replaying in my mind. I knew God had forgiven me, but I had not forgiven myself. Always remember to forgive yourself. One you have asked the Lord's forgiveness it is over, finished. God says He forgives and then He forgets it. You are no longer spiritual accountable for that action. That is not to say if you rob a bank that you do not have to answer to the authorities, the Lord will forgive you. Morally and lawfully you will be held accountable.

God Bless Indeed
recj/LJG