Don’t Dwell On The Past

Don’t Dwell On The Past

Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before

(Philippians 3:13).

       The Book of Acts gives us a detailed story of Saul of Tarsus, who later became known as Paul. Prior to his conversion, he desperately persecuted God’s people. However, one day, on his way to Damascus, in furtherance of his merciless onslaught against the Church, he had an encounter with the Lord and he was converted. Summarily, he asked the Lord “…Lord, what wilt thou have me to do…?” (Acts 9:6).

           That day, the Lord changed his destiny and gave him a new focus. The hitherto persecutor of the Church became one of the Lord’s greatest apostles whom He charged with the responsibility to take the Gospel to the Gentiles, turning them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God (Acts 26:18). With a greater zeal than that with which he persecuted the Church, Paul committed His life to preaching the Gospel, refusing to be deterred by his unpleasant past. He realized that “…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). This was his testimony; this was his victory: To hold forth the Word of life with boldness, irrespective of the past. Our opening verse reveals how he was able to deal with His past; a lesson for us all.

           Paul’s testimony reveals exactly what the Lord can do in the life of anyone who receives the Word, regardless of the person’s past experiences.

           The Lord Jesus can transform a man forever, and give him a new destiny; His Word in you will transform your life and recreate your world by the influence of the Holy Spirit. Therefore, like the Apostle Paul, be totally committed to the Lord and His the Gospel. Speak the Word with boldness, and refuse to allow anything, including your past, daunt your zeal for revealing Christ to your world.

Prayer

Dear heavenly Father,

you have chosen me from the foundation of the world to reveal Christ in me. I fix my gaze on you and your eternal grace, holding forth the Word of life and truth, as I bear fruits unto righteousness to your praise and glory,

in Jesus’ Name. Amen.

FURTHER STUDY

Galatians 2:20; Galatians 2:18-19

DAILY SCRIPTURE READING

1 Year Bible reading plan: John 1:1-18; 2 Samuel 15-17
2 Year Bible reading plan: Mark 7:24-37; Number 6