Leave the Past Behind
Ephesians 2:1-3 You were dead through the trespasses and sins in which you once lived, following the course of this world, following the ruler of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work among those who are disobedient. All of us once lived among them in the passions of our flesh, following the desires of flesh and senses, and we were by nature children of wrath, like everyone else. (NRSV)
New Year’s Eve – traditionally a night of great celebration as we leave the past behind and leap into the new year … whoopedy-whoop. But let me ask you, are you in fact able to leave this past year behind, or will it still hold a power over you?
That’s the question, isn’t it? How often do we hope for something better in the year ahead, and yet the failures of the past, our foibles, our fears, still occupy our thoughts and hold sway in our hearts.
So I’ll ask you again. Can you in fact leave the past behind? Because that’s exactly what God wants you to do. I know, you’re not perfect. I know you still have chinks in your armour. Me too. But let God’s Word – which is alive and active – set you free today:
Ephesians 2:1-3 You were dead through the trespasses and sins in which you once lived, following the course of this world, following the ruler of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work among those who are disobedient. All of us once lived among them in the passions of our flesh, following the desires of flesh and senses, and we were by nature children of wrath, like everyone else. (NRSV)
The most important thing to notice in all of this is that it’s written in the past tense. We were dead through our sins in which we once lived. All of us (not a one of us excluded) once followed the desire of our flesh. We were by our very nature children of wrath.
Tomorrow, I’ll share with you the good news, the fantastic news, about your future. But for today, let’s get one thing straight. It’s time to leave the past in the past.
That’s God’s Word. Fresh … for you … today.
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John Park
We listen every morning Bernie. If not first thing – later in the day or we will go back so as not to miss one. ...
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We listen every morning Bernie. If not first thing – later in the day or we will go back so as not to miss one. Thank you for bringing Christ to our day in such a clearly expressed way