Forgetting The Past . . .

Creflo Dollar writes in his book, "Paul said that we must forget the past-not only those things we are most ashamed of, but also those things that we are proud of.  Why?  Because dwelling on either one can hinder our spiritual progress and prevent us from pushing ourselves to do better."

As Christians we all to often forget this one important thing . . . when we ask forgiveness, God remembers it no more . . . He casts it into the depts of the sea.  It is wrong for us to dwell on the sins we've been forgiven for.  Its like we really don't believe that God actually forgave us . . . we act in doubt of God's forgiving power. 

In my walk with the Lord I've had to forget my past . . .

I've had no problem letting go of past addiction, that's actually been a breeze.  Where I've really had to work in my life is towards past bitterness and resentment.  Letting go of those who have hurt me emotionally, knowing that God has dealt with or will deal with them at some point.  From personal experience, if we do not let these things go, they will eat at us and drag us into a pit of despair.  I've been in that pit . . . its not a fun place to be. 

I think of Jesus ministry and the persecution He went through as He spread the love of God.  If He would have got hung up on what people said and what people did, His ministry would have been ineffective.  Even during His ministry Jesus probabley struggled with staying positive, but He had to.  Jesus had to stay positive to have an effective ministry plus He had to teach His disciples how to keep positive in order to have a successful ministry . . . He had to teach them how to walk in love. 

Jesus is our example . . . He is our example when it comes time to letting go.  He is our example as we walk in love, yet still today the church is filled with people who hold bitterness and resentment towards their brothers and sisters.  We are to be imitators of Him . . . what a world this would be if we all let go of our pasts and walk in the love of Jesus. 

As we progress in God's will, things will become easier, our walk with be easier.  There will still be times of trial and temptation, but God's love and faithfullness will carry us through. 

This Christmas season let things go . . . begin walking in the love of Jesus.