LOOK AHEAD!
A man who suddenly lost much of his memory went to a specialist for testing. Afterwards, the doctor said, "You have a hard decision to make. We can do a surgical procedure that will restore your memory, but it may adversely affect your vision. So, what is more important to you – your memory or eyesight?" Thinking it over, the man replied, "I prefer my eyesight because I'd rather see what’s ahead rather than remember what's behind."
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Most of us have memories of our failures and sins. Some people, haunted by such memories, assume that they are hopelessly doomed. However, such an attitude is not only a symptom of “stinking thinking", it is perpetrated by Satan.
Consider the apostle Paul. He had scores of “skeletons” for which he could have felt perpetually ashamed. To name a few – he assisted with the murder of Stephen – Act 7:58. He traveled to distant cities to arrest Christians – Act 9:1ff. He persecuted the church beyond measure – Gal. 1:13. It was only after doing enormous damage that he finally saw the “Light” on the road to Damascus, and subsequently repented and turned to the Lord – Act 9:3ff.
Paul could have easily struggled with guilt feelings for the rest of his life. Fortunately, he chose to focus on something else. “Brethren...one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus” (Phil 3:13-14).
Although his past was riddled with crimes against our Lord, he realized that no sin is so great that the blood of Christ cannot erase it. Moreover, no life is so ruined that Jesus cannot restore it and use it for His service. By the grace of God, Christians can leave the past behind and focus on what lies ahead.
Regardless of your past, move forward toward the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
Jesus FIRST!
Dennis
A man who suddenly lost much of his memory went to a specialist for testing. Afterwards, the doctor said, "You have a hard decision to make. We can do a surgical procedure that will restore your memory, but it may adversely affect your vision. So, what is more important to you – your memory or eyesight?" Thinking it over, the man replied, "I prefer my eyesight because I'd rather see what’s ahead rather than remember what's behind."
****************************************************************************
Most of us have memories of our failures and sins. Some people, haunted by such memories, assume that they are hopelessly doomed. However, such an attitude is not only a symptom of “stinking thinking", it is perpetrated by Satan.
Consider the apostle Paul. He had scores of “skeletons” for which he could have felt perpetually ashamed. To name a few – he assisted with the murder of Stephen – Act 7:58. He traveled to distant cities to arrest Christians – Act 9:1ff. He persecuted the church beyond measure – Gal. 1:13. It was only after doing enormous damage that he finally saw the “Light” on the road to Damascus, and subsequently repented and turned to the Lord – Act 9:3ff.
Paul could have easily struggled with guilt feelings for the rest of his life. Fortunately, he chose to focus on something else. “Brethren...one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus” (Phil 3:13-14).
Although his past was riddled with crimes against our Lord, he realized that no sin is so great that the blood of Christ cannot erase it. Moreover, no life is so ruined that Jesus cannot restore it and use it for His service. By the grace of God, Christians can leave the past behind and focus on what lies ahead.
Regardless of your past, move forward toward the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
Jesus FIRST!
Dennis
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