Your Past Can Effect Your Present
By: Kristen L. McNulty
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Today I'd like to take a few minutes to talk about the effect that our pasts can have on our present walk with God. Let me take just a minute to explain where this is coming from.
Over my almost five year walk as a Christian, I've met many fellow believers from many different walks of life. I've met Christians so on-fire for the Lord that one more spark would certain cause them to completely ignite. Unfortunately, I've also met a few believers who deep down want to live for God, but are always finding themselves tossed around. Their spiritual lives look remarkably similar to a yo-yo- always up and down.
Now I'm not here to condemn those who find themselves in that situation or to make light of their spirituality, but rather I'd like to share a common thread that ran through most of their lives so that we can learn something. In truth, most of the up and down Christians that I know are the same one's who can't let go of their past and that is what is effecting their future. You see, many problems that can affect our current walk with God are caused by the scars of our past and it doesn't have to be this way.
When we come to Christ, we are completely washed clean of any of our past sins. Think of it as the ultimate car wash and paint job. Not only does God forgive and forget, but He restores! But make no mistake, Satan doesn't like this job that God does because those living in the freedom that God offers have no time or desire to spend any time with the enemy.
So Satan comes in and uses one of his favorite tactics: he convinces believers that their past is who they are today. He constantly brings it up, he exploits it and he makes the believer live a life filled with guilt and self-condemnation. And when this happens, a Christian's present walk with God is tainted by their past that in God's book, has already been forgiven and forgotten.
Let me repeat that in case you missed it: if you belong to Christ, your past has already been forgiven and forgotten by God. It doesn't matter how ugly it is, Jesus' blood has covered it and your past slate has been wiped clean!
In one of my favorite books of the Bible, Paul writes "Now there is no condemnation for those of us in Christ Jesus." Did you hear that- there is no condemnation for those of us in Christ Jesus. It doesn't matter what you've done, you are forgiven and anytime you think otherwise, you're believing a lie straight from the lips of the enemy.
Today I know there are people listening to this who have spent a lot of time and energy beating themselves up for their pasts and if that's you, I can't encourage you enough to stop. There is freedom in Christ and if you've accept Him as Lord and Savior, your past sins are gone! God is no longer even thinking of them, so why should you? As the song Power in the Blood says "Sin stains are lost in it's life giving flow- there is wonderful power in the blood."
If you're a Christian, today let go of your past and live in that wonderful power. There is no reason to feel guilt or shame when you belong to Christ. And today if you're not a Christian, I can't encourage you enough to take advantage of the wonderful gift of forgiveness that Jesus offers. It doesn't matter who you are or where you're from- God loves you and is offering you the gift of forgiveness. If you'd like to accept that gift, all you have to do is ask and you can ask right now. Say this prayer with me-
Jesus,
I know that I'm a sinner, but I want to be washed clean of my sins. Come into my heart and make it new. I want to learn to follow You.
Fill me with Your Holy Spirit and help me to walk according to Your ways.
Thank you for this gift.
Amen.
If you just prayed that prayer with me, heaven's throwing a party because the Bible says all of heaven rejoices when one person turns to God.
Also, if you've prayed that prayer, I'd love to hear from you and send you some free stuff that will help you in this new journey. Send an email to madradioshow@hotmail.com
This devotional was aired as a part of the Making A Difference Christian Radio Show.