20/01/2013 - Forget the past!

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Do not remember the former things, nor consider the things of old.

Isaiah 43: 18

The Israelites were instructed not to remember Egypt where they had been taken into captivity. Forgetting the harm caused by other people and effectively living the fullness of one’s new creation made by The Lord is something good. Those who think of the past might slip and they might end up wishing for some sinful ideas – those which used to give them some sort of pleasure then. Our satisfaction must be only found in the presence of our God. The Most High’s faithfulness towards us has to be the reason why we trust in Him because He is exactly what His Word states He is.

The Lord told The Israelites to forget Egypt because that would prevent them from enjoying their new life in the new land. And He gives us the same warning today! In case we recall our being abused by others or any other sort of evil it turns out that we’ll be risking to forget that we’re a new creation now and, thus, we might go back to that same spirit of bitterness and hatred we used to have. Considering that all things were made new for us, leaving the past behind will be immensely good.

If before getting to know Jesus we were led by the same spirit which still rules now those who aren’t saved yet what’s the point of our recalling the harm they caused us? Undoubtedly, the hand of God held their hands so they didn’t cause us any greater harm. If it wasn’t for The Lord, The One who already kept us safe and sound when we were in sin it turns out that we wouldn’t be here any longer! Now, we are to only bring to our memory His love towards us.

On the other hand, those who spend time thinking of their past might, even unwillingly, wish for sinful things which used to give them some sort of pleasure and, if that happens, just like The Israelites did when they were weak spiritually, the former might be feeling the desire of going again for the “garlic and onions of Egypt” (Numbers 11: 5). If you think that The Gospel is not better than the best moments you experienced when in error then it signals that you haven’t really experienced yet what life in abundance brought to you by Jesus is about (John 10: 10 b).

A Christian has to grow in understanding of The Word and in The Holy Spirit. In doing so they’ll discover the wonders in store for them. Holiness mustn’t be sought only to avoid hell; as a matter of fact, those who enjoy holiness have to know how utterly important it is for their lives. Those who are still feeling the desires of flesh – those who feel that burning fire inside them for prohibited passions – must do all they can to discover how good it is to walk in holiness.

Our trust in God must be based on His faithfulness towards us. When that happens we’ll be walking fearlessly and we won’t be frightened any longer – we’ll be completely free from all the devil’s lies. Now, The Most High is faithful to keep us from all evil deeds and He’ll never fail to honour those Words on His lips. As long as you walk hand in hand with our Heavenly Father you can be certain that no evil will ever hit you.

One of the good bits of information regarding The Lord, our God, is that He is exactly what His Words says He is and those who follow Him won’t stumble against any foes. You must do all you can never to remember your past and don’t waste your time thinking of old! (Philippians 3: 13). Live The New Testament and this way you’ll be enjoying the best of life! As long as you believe you’ll get from God those revelations in The Word.

In Christ, with love,

R. R. Soares