By Chris Wall
One of the crucial mistakes we can make is allowing our past to define us. This can happen in two ways: by dwelling on past mistakes or by clinging to past achievements.
Chris Wall
Over the years, being a husband has taught me many lessons, but one that stands out above the rest is this: the past should not dictate my present or my future.
When it comes to my mistakes and foolish decisions, I am more than willing to apologize for them, let them go, and hope my wife does too! And when it comes to my achievements, as much as I may want to hold onto them, I cannot. Even if I planned the perfect anniversary last year, my wife still expects something fresh and thoughtful this year. In other words, I cannot rest in past glories for too long.
This same principle applies to our walk with the Lord. Too often, we allow ourselves to be defined by our best or worst moments, but the truth is that we must live in the present. The Apostle Paul captures this well in Philippians 3:13-14, where he writes, “Forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.”
I am not defined by the lies I tell myself, nor by the accusations of Satan. Instead, I am defined by what God says about me. Scripture declares that I am chosen (Ephesians 1:4), loved (Romans 8:38-39), justified (Romans 5:1), and being sanctified (Hebrews 10:14). However, these promises are only true for the person who is in Christ. To be in Christ means placing one’s faith in Him—believing that His life, death, burial, and resurrection are the only sufficient payment for sin and the only means by which we can be made right with God (Romans 10:9-10). For those who have believed, these truths define them, not their past.
I understand what it is like to walk around with shame and regret over past sins—to feel as if you’ve committed the sin that has finally broken the camel’s back, so to speak. But the truth is that God is in the business of restoration. Psalm 147:3 assures us, “He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.” Your past does not define you—your present in Christ does, if indeed you are united to Him.
For anyone unsure of their standing with Christ, I encourage you to place your faith in Him as Lord and Savior. If you have questions or want to know more, find yourself in church this Sunday. Romans 10:17 reminds us, “So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ.”
Do not live in the pain of the past. Look forward with hope, knowing that God is working in your life right now.
Chris Wall is the Pastor of Mesquite Baptist Church (750 W. Pioneer Blvd., Mesquite, NV, 89027)
