Monday, 15 May 2023
DON’T BE A PRISONER OF YOUR PAST
Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new (2 Corinthians 5:17).
There are those who are haunted by guilt and memories of the past. They’re fighting so hard to overcome painful memories. They’re in bondage to their past, probably because of some terrible things they had done or the hurt they suffered, and they’ve been living with the pain ever since.
You need to understand what it means to be born again, to be a new creation: you’re a brand new person. You’re not the same person who had those horrible experiences. That person died in Christ. The new “you” is absolved of all guilt; free of errors and imperfections.
Romans 5:18 says, “Therefore as by the offense of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life.” Jesus wasn’t only delivered on account of our sins, He was also raised for our justification (Romans 4:25). What does this mean?
It means you were declared “not guilty”; no charge against you. The reason is simple: you’re a new creation; a brand new person without a past. So, even if you did something wrong in the past that still makes you feel guilty, it’s all based on memory and emotions. In Christianity, we don’t walk by our feelings; we walk by faith. We live on the affirmation of God’s Word.
Don’t recollect a bitter experience you might have had many years ago and start crying that God should forgive you. Refuse to be held captive by guilt or memories of the past.
Romans 4:25 AMPC says Jesus was raised from the dead for “… (our acquittal), [making our account balance and absolving us from all guilt before God].” When you come to Jesus, He makes you free from every kind of bondage: “If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed” (John 8:36). Hallelujah!
PRAYER: Dear Father, I thank you for my new life in Christ; your divine nature in me has made me a master over circumstances, with dominion over the systems of this world. I serve you always with joy unspeakable and full of glory, unencumbered by sin or reproach! Thank you for making me righteous, holy and irreproachable in your sight, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.
FURTHER STUDY:
Galatians 6:14-16; John 1:12-13; Romans 6:4
1-YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN: John 7:1-24 & 1 Kings 15-17
2-YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN: Mark 10:23-31 & Numbers 18