LIVING PASS YOUR PAST MISTAKES

There was a time when I was in bondage to my past and what others thought of me. I would allow my past mistakes to constantly be used to define me, although that person was no longer me. Then one day during my crying out to God, He revealed to me that I was not who others wanted to keep labeling me as, and that I was no longer bound to my past.
(2 Corinthians 5:17, NLT This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!)

Understand that your past does not define who you are, no matter what that past may be. Whether you were rebellious; a backslider; divorced, on drugs; molested, a cheater; in prison; abused; cheated on; abandoned; teenage mom or dad, promiscuous, etc. You are not held hostage to it. Is what you’ve done wiped away? By man, “No.” But, through repentance and surrendering all to Christ, who died on the cross to take upon our sins, “Yes.” Through Him, your past is wiped away.
(Hebrews 8:12, NLT And I will forgive their wickedness, and I will never again remember their sins.)

The hard part comes when you have to push pass your past, especially when those that knew you then and even those that are around you now, like to bring it up every opportunity they can. You know the ones that say that famous line, “I remember when” and then begin to follow it with whatever you did then. This alone may often cause you to reflect back to that period and begin to feel bad all over again about yourself or something you may have done. Yes, there may be times when you are able to stand strong and firm and declare that the past is the past, but the enemies’ desire is to have you feel as though you will never live your past down, or that you are held hostage to it.

But, I’m here to tell you that the devil is a liar. I don’t care what it is, what happened to you or how bad you think what you’ve done is, our Lord and Savior is able to forgive and heal. He is “King of Kings.” There is nothing that has happened to you or that you’ve done that He doesn’t know about, and in spite of that, He still loves you. You just have to accept that love and know that you are worth it. Also, there are people that will never let go of your past because they are still there, and they are upset because of who you’ve become. There is even some feeling as if you are no longer beneficially to them or their way of life, now that you no longer allow those old things nor engage in what they are still doing.
(Romans 5:8, NLT But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.)
(Rev 19:16, NLT On his robe at his thigh was written this title: King of all kings and Lord of all lords.)

King David: Committed sins of adultery, deception, and murder. David repented, asked God for forgiveness, and God forgave him of his sin. God went on to use him mightily, to the glory of His name. (2Samuel 11:12, Psalm 51:10-12)

Apostle Paul (formerly “Saul of Tarsus”): Murdered, harassed, and persecuted Christians in the early Church. Apostle Paul was not perfect, but he became an extremely useful vessel for God, teaching, growing, inspiring and encouraging. He went on to write much of the New Testament and continues to be a blessing to believers even today. (Acts 9:4-5, 1 Timothy 1:12-13)

Rahab the Prostitute: Rahab was a prostitute. Despite her sketchy background, she was used by God in a mighty way. (James 2:25, Hebrews 11:31)

And there are others in the Bible that God used in a mighty way and did not let their past define who they were and what He wanted to do in their life.

Do you see what I’m saying? If God freed them from their past, then He surely is capable of doing the same for you. Now it’s time for you to push past it and be free from that bondage and live. Peace, love, hope, and joy are all the things that you will begin to experience when you no longer let your past or what others say, define you. It’s God’s desire that we live a full life free from any bondage.
(Romans 3:23, ESV For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.) (1 Corinthians 15:57, NLT But thank God! He gives us victory over sin and death through our Lord Jesus Christ.)

Yes, He can even use you. Now, start living pass your past.

Be Encouraged!

Evangelist Steele