OUR PAST CAN'T BE FOUND

The past can’t be found unless we go digging it up or the enemy may speak about it during our moments of failure.  Although we learned valuable lessons or we had to re-learn again, grace awaited us.  Grace never gave up!  Sometimes we look at the past or our present weakness and wonder, “Am I really important?”  “Do I really matter to anyone?” Condemnation makes us feel that we messed up too much for God to give us a second chance, GOD'S LOVE IS UNCONDITIONAL! His love is constant, true, and always open to a heart who wants to change.  Grace invites to come to the throne of grace!  It actually calls us to RUN!  So, run!  Our mistakes blind our eyes from seeing our potential or value in this world.  Besides being blind, we are deaf to the truth.  We come to Christ so blinded by sin, bruised from hurt, and covered in filth.  It's only when we come to Christ; we really see!  It’s only when we are hidden in Christ; our potential will flourish. 

For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God ~ Colossians 3:3

It’s only when we allow Christ to change our life; our past can’t speak against us.  Our past holds us back because we see the “old man” or remember our evil deeds.  So, if we truly believe what the Word of God says.  It’s a dead issue to God. 

“For as high as the heavens are above the earth, So great is His lovingkindness toward those who fear Him.   As far as the east is from the west, So far has He removed our transgressions from us. Just as a father has compassion on his children, So the LORD has compassion on those who fear Him.  Psalm 103:11-13

We can’t measure the love of God, even if we tried.  It’s beyond measure!  Yet, it’s so great towards those who fear His name.  God is constant; He never changes. God doesn't change His love for you but His love will change you.  As a loving father reaches to comfort his hurting child, so does God.  He reaches for us only to bring us close to Him!  He isn't so appalled by our sinful appearance to withhold His grace from us!  It's only through Christ, we can be made new!

So, how do we not allow our past to defeat our future?  It’s a very good question, one I believe is solved in Colossians 3:1-3. First, we must realize we don’t live in the past anymore; it’s locked away.  Christ our Savior has thrown away the key, no one is allowed in!  YOU ARE RAISED WITH CHRIST!  In other words, the past can’t have you!  Your life is with Him!  Christ rose from the dead to bring life!  He showed death has no power, the power of sin is broken, and LIFE WITH GOD IS ALL THAT MATTERS!  Second, we have to keep our eyes fixed on Christ.  We must keep seeking His heart for our lives; He will direct us but we must seek earnestly.  Christ seats on the right hand of the Father to INTERCEDE FOR US!  So, whatever happens in this New Year, may you realize Christ is aware of it!  Also, He is already praying for you, so may this bring comfort.  Third, may we keep our focus on what matters!  One day this old world will pass away, the tears will fade, and trials will be no more!  No matter what the enemy does; he can’t defeat us!  What he has stolen; he has to return it!  God will restore EVERYTHING the enemy stole!  Restoration, renewal, and rekindle the flame of our heart; God IS ABLE!  So, don’t allow your lack or what’s left defeat you from walking towards the promise!  GOD NEVER GOES BACK ON HIS WORD!

God parted the Red Sea to bring deliverance but it was complete when the waters fell.  God didn’t ask the children of Israel to walk through the parted waters again or to build a boat; He asked them to walk though and never turn back!  God miraculous and powerfully delivered us from sin; to show who He is!  Not only did it silence the enemies who wanted to keep them in bondage!  It brought fear to the children of Israel so they would put their trust in God alone. 
'

 

The past keeps us in bondage, a place God doesn't want us to dwell or walk.

A heart who fears God will walk victoriously through any situation, we don’t need to be afraid.  “As Moses answered the people, “DO NOT BE AFRAID.  STAND FIRM AND YOU WILL SEE THE DELIVERANCE OF THE LORD WILL BRING TODAY!  The Egyptians you see today you will never see again.  The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.” Exodus 14:13-14

We are not without hope!  The steadfast love of the Lord NEVER CEASES!  Understand our hearts may express different emotions about the New Year being here.  Yet, don’t look with fear or you will not know which way to go.  Stand confident in the Word; it’s the only source for deliverance.  Yet, if people who speak about you today; they will not remember you tomorrow!  God will take care of your enemies, let Him fight!  He still silences enemies!

The Nose Hook of Sin

Sin is sin; it cost our Savior to die whether it was a white lie or murder.  What’s the greatest sin?  Does God have a scale to measure what is the greatest or least committed sin by mankind?  As I was reading Genesis recently; I was very surprised at a verse found in Genesis 6:6, “The Lord was grieved that he made man on the earth, and his heart was filled with pain.”  Have you ever thought of God’s heart filled with pain? It was hurt due to several issues: sons of God were marrying ungodly women, inclinations of the thoughts of heart were ONLY evil, and full of violence; and corrupted there ways. (Genesis 6:1-12)

What people do not understand is our thoughts are just as important as our actions.  Sin is birthed in the mind through our OWN evil desires.  James 1:14-15 records, “But each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed.  Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.”  Sin destroys not only our relationship with God but with mankind; this is the truth of the commandments.  Yet, sadly it seems we desire to compare our sinful scars or validate ourselves since we haven’t committed someone else’s sinful act.      

    It’s only through the Word of God is sin defined.  “We know that the law is good if one uses it properly. We also know that law is made not for the righteous but for lawbreakers and rebels, the ungodly and sinful, the unholy and sinful, the unholy and irreligious; for those who kill their fathers or mothers, for murderers, for adulterers and perverts, for slave traders and liars and perjurers-and for whatever else is contrary to the sound doctrine.” (I Timothy 1:8-10)  Doesn't it sound like a rough crowd of people?

     Besides sin being defined by God; the Father sent the cure-His Son to die for ALL mankind.  Sin has been committed by all; no one is righteous. (Romans 3:23)  Yet, the penalty of sin has been paid for through the death of Christ.  It’s only through the death of Christ we can be made righteous before God. (Romans 5:19) If you are human, we all have been tempted by sin even our precious Savior was tempted. (Hebrews 4:15) Only Christ is the only one who was tempted in all ways but DIDN’T SIN.  He is our advocate, mediator and high priest who can sympathize with our weakness.  So, we don’t have to be afraid to approach him regardless of the dark deeds we have done, he just wants us to come.

     Although the Apostle Paul describes himself as “the chief of sinners”, scripture is full of some interesting characters who have committed some horrifying actions such as King Manasseh.  King Manasseh did evil in the eyes of the Lord by following the evil practices of the nation. (2 Kings 21:2) What was so evil? Scripture records Manasseh committed the following: rebuilt the high places, erected altars to Baal, made an Asherah pole, he bowed down to all the starry hosts and worshipped them, built altars to the starry hosts in the Lord’s temple, sacrificed his OWN son in the fire, practiced sorcery and divination, and consulted mediums and spiritists. (2 Kings 21:3-6)  Sadly, the list continues through the chapter by leading the children of Israel astray and his sins were GREATER than the Amorites.  God called out to Manasseh but he ignored His voice.  What was going to turn Manasseh’s heart?  Manasseh was pulled by a hook in his nose and shackles into the dungeon of his enemy. (2 Chronicles 33:11) Sin will capture your life with shackles pulling your soul into the chambers of Hell.  As the shackles weighed upon his life; it was leading him to his prison cell.  Was Manasseh getting righteous judgment by God?  Of course, the penalty of sin was to be paid.  God’s holiness will produce righteous judgment but the judgment issued comes from our choices. 

     What if King Manasseh entered our church doors?  How do you think we would respond?  Would we offer grace to this man; a man who murdered his child, committed idolater, and caused the downfall of a nation?  How great is Manasseh’s sin?  It is pretty great; there is no argument here.  Yet, there is something greater!  God’s amazing grace!  God’s grace covered all of Manasseh’s sin, restored his life, and his kingdom.  What captured the heart of God?  It was a heart with humility. (2 Chronicles 33:13)  He sought the favor of the Lord in his distress, truly repented by removing the evil he made, and followed God’s Word.  

The only way to get free from the nose hook of sin is humbly calling upon God.  If we truly are broken over our actions, turn away from our sinful life, and choose to follow Him; it's how repentance is defined.  We can't hide our sinful deeds from God but we can be set free from sin, the dreadful shame removed, and our life restored.  We don't have to walk in bondage to the chambers of destruction with the enemy having a hook to our nose.  Have you committed the same sins as King Manasseh?  Maybe so or maybe not but it doesn't matter what you did.  Christ came to redeem the vilest of all sinners who will call upon His name.  It's time to remove the chains of sin!  Christ died to set you free, so come to Him!