Craig Mobey
William Faulkner wrote, “The past is never gone. It is not even past.”
To this, I add, “What you are doing now, will be the most recent event of your past.”
Your past is where you made bad decisions, mistakes, and sinned. And sometimes affecting others as well.
Your past is also where you made good decisions, got many things right and came to salvation. And sometimes you positively affected others as well.
The sum of your past is the pathway that you followed to where it is, where you now find yourself. After his conversion, Paul faced two basic choices: (1) dwell on the past and live out the rest of his days quietly in guilt and shame or (2) while being aware of his past, focus on spreading the good news, despite fierce opposition.
Paul writes in 1 Timothy 1:15-16 (CEV), “‘Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners.’ This saying is true, and it can be trusted. I was the worst sinner of all. But since I was worse than anyone else, God had mercy on me and let me be an example of the endless patience of Christ Jesus. He did this so that others would put their faith in Christ and have eternal life.”
Paul, instead of refusing to forgive himself, received God’s forgiveness and the events of his past became a trail by which God was glorified. Stepping forward, Paul contextualized what it means to fully live for Christ Jesus (c.f. Philippians 3).
Paul understood God’s salvation, and us learning the same will help us to walk in the fullness of God’s love, forgiveness, grace, and mercy. On this note, perhaps more of us need to remind ourselves that God’s forgiveness is also relational in that we became children of God (c.f. John 1:12). Therefore, when grappling with self-forgiveness, we would do well to discuss matters prayerfully and honestly with God and then praise and worship Him.
In the parable of the unmerciful servant (c.f. Matthew 18:21-35), the master speaks to the servant, “Shouldn’t you have had mercy on the other servant just as I had mercy on you?” (Matthew 18:33, NIrV). Because of the gospel, we extend mercy and forgiveness to others, perhaps it’s time to extend the same to ourselves.
With the help of a specialist Christian counsellor, if needed, we can confront what we avoid, heal, and courageously and evangelically live out the newness that is in Christ.
You are welcome to inbox me if I can help.