Be Present: Past is Past by Robert Dickerson

Encounter the Word:

The very credentials these people are waving around as something special, I'm tearing up and throwing out with the trash—along with everything else I used to take credit for. And why? Because of Christ. Yes, all the things I once thought were so important are gone from my life. Compared to the high privilege of knowing Christ Jesus as my Master, firsthand, everything I once thought I had going for me is insignificant—dog dung. I've dumped it all in the trash so that I could embrace Christ and be embraced by him. I didn't want some petty, inferior brand of righteousness that comes from keeping a list of rules when I could get the robust kind that comes from trusting Christ—God's righteousness.

I gave up all that inferior stuff so I could know Christ personally, experience his resurrection power, be a partner in his suffering, and go all the way with him to death itself. If there was any way to get in on the resurrection from the dead, I wanted to do it.  –Philippians 3:7-11 [Message]

Your past is the past, set in stone, unchangeable. It doesn't matter if you used to keep the letter of the law or if you were a menace to society, you are now a servant of GOD—He lives within your heart and all the beauty that He brings He gives freely to you. Love, compassion, and grace He pours over you, changing you into His image, molding you into the person you were intended to be.

Stop pointing to your past, for you are pointing in the wrong direction. If you are pointing to previous actions to define yourself your arm is pointing away from GOD and what He's accomplished in your life. GOD and only GOD, is the only source that defines our lives for without Him, what kind of rubbish have you created that compares to Him?

Watch out for fellow believers that point to their past. One's past doesn't define who they are because we all started off as sinners. One's status in life isn't defined by being born into wealth or how large your family is. Recognize these people so that you are not misled. GOD’s Spirit doesn't boast about past accomplishments, but gives the blessing of joy in knowing that GOD has seen your choices to work for His glory. Your reward is being prepared in Heaven and if you try and take it early here on Earth, you are stealing it from Heaven. Personally, I'd rather reap my reward for eternity than the brief blink of an eye here on Earth.

Encounter Prayer:

So let's keep focused on that goal, those of us who want everything God has for us. If any of you have something else in mind, something less than total commitment, God will clear your blurred vision—you'll see it yet! Now that we're on the right track, let's stay on it… We're citizens of high heaven! We're waiting the arrival of the Savior, the Master, Jesus Christ, who will transform our earthy bodies into glorious bodies like his own. He'll make us beautiful and whole with the same powerful skill by which he is putting everything as it should be, under and around him. Amen –Philippians 3:15-16,20-21 [Message]

Encounter:

• What accomplishments are you most proud of?
• When you list what you have done in a resume or vitae, who are you seeking to impress? How?
• What role do you believe your past will play in your salvation?
• How might you see and share your life so as to give glory to GOD for what He has done?

Devotional by Robert Dickerson of Younger Generation Church.  Posted by A. Allan Martin by permission.