Your Past, Your Shame, and Your Peace

longtrekker · Jun 20, 2017

How the past is but a thief when it lays sorrow in the present. The truth of what once was hidden as like a skeleton in a closet. Yet here I am, to tell you that there is no need to have such a closet. Its time for renovations! The past as bleak and dark that it may have been, with past transgression is just that. The past. It is a thing behind us, but if we let it, it will rob us and others. Shame. Hindering us as we mope about, feeling as if in each encounter with another soul we must place a mask upon the real self. Not true. The past is not the present you, the shame you feel need not be!

You see, there is no confession that needs to be made. No dark truth to be revealed. It is not their business and neither is it yours. Do not occupy yourself with what you were, but occupy yourself with who you are. Today is a new day. The sins of the past forgiven, and nearly forgotten in that they should not hold a stronghold upon your identity in the present. Do not let what once was, rob what is now. What matters is the present. Who are you today? Where is your love today? Would you today act in the same way that you did then? Be not ashamed. That is no longer you.

Now, you may wonder how wicked your mind and heart may be, to think that just maybe you might act in the same way. Possibly you still struggle with sins of the past. Have hope! God sanctifies, He sets free and gives liberty! The things that bind you, He has the strength to unbind. The chains around you, He can break. Simply know that you have been made new. God loves you. You are His child. What struggles you have are but opportunities for Him to show you His greatness and mercy. Don't see your problems as hopeless, rather see it as an opportunity to see God's glory.

Rid yourself of shame. This day is, again, a new day. You are not your past, but are here in the present. Sanctified by God, ever growing. Do not identify with your past transgression, rather identify with who God has called you to be. Walk in that reality, as this is who He has created you to be. To love. So this day, this moment, be just that. Think not upon the darkness of what you were, but be in the present, presenting yourself as who you are now. Not then. Once more, if the present isn't who you'd like to be, have hope. God sanctifies. This is where peace settles in.

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Wow ! great post ... we need more like this !

BenFTW · Jun 21, 2017

Desertsrose said:

Hey DesertRose, not to be too confrontational, but you're way off base here. The part in the OP that you read about not needing to confess had nothing to do with sin confession to God for forgiveness. In context I am talking about people being so caught up in the wrongs of their past that they feel in the present they have to hide something, or put on a mask before others.

Such, as you know, is not the case as God sanctifies us and sets us free, our sins as white as snow. So, no, this post (the OP) is not a lie from the enemy. It had nothing whatsoever to do with what you're addressing. It simply is saying that such shame is oppressive, invasive, and a hindrance when we need to get over the past and push onward "in our upward calling." The past left in the dust as we experience life in the new (literally, we are born-again!).

BenFTW · Jun 21, 2017

This thread took an odd turn from the point of the OP. Why this became a sinless perfectionist topic I don't know, but I am glad that the OP touched those that it was meant to. I would think that a sinless perfectionist would've spotted where I said, "God sanctifies" and would've been happy with that. No license to sin, just an encouragement that God won't leave you in the mire.

I had actually had this post on my heart early in the day and it wasn't until evening I decided to write it. The response was one that I can only say, "Glory to God." This wasn't trying to make some doctrinal debate, but simply an exhortation, an encouragement and comfort to those needing to push past, funny enough, the past. To let go. To see themselves as God does, and knowing that they will in time continue to grow. So what shortcomings we may have, they are for but a time. Praise God.

BillG · Jun 21, 2017

BenFTW said:

Yes it has and I have got involved with it as a result of an early post.
I am sorry that I did but also not sorry because I thought the post was outrageous that I had to respond.

So I am sorry for my part of distracting and should have known better to suggest taking it somewhere else.

I just want to say the thread you started is excellent and true and needs to be addressed.

There are many beleivers who allow their past to dictate where they are now and their future.

I know I was one of them and to a certain extent I still am.

Its only Jesus that can set us free, break the chains that bind us.

2 Corinthians 3:17
Now the Lord is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.

3:17 the Lord is the Spirit. This statement should be linked with what was said at the end of v. 6: “the Spirit gives life.” Only by turning to the Lord Jesus Christ (v. 16) can the condemnation and the sentence of death pronounced by the law on the lawbreaker be annulled and replaced by the free, life-giving grace of the new covenant. where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. See Jn 8:33, 36 and note on 8:32. The “new covenant” (v. 6) promised an inward transformation through the Holy Spirit (see Jer 31:31–34; Eze 36:27; Joel 2:2–29 and notes). (NIV bible notes)

Jesus is in the business of setting us free, free of our past, healing our past in order to release us and break those chains.
We are a new creation, we are in Christ and Christ is in us.

John 17:23
I in them, and You in Me; that they may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them as You have loved Me.

God loves us as much as he loves Jesus.

If you don't believe it please read it and keep reading it.

When we truly believe or start to believe it then the amazing Grace starts to sink in and as it does it heals our guilt, breaks the chains and it's then we can walk in who we are which is the precious children of God.

God bless you all.

Bill

Meggido · Jun 21, 2017

BenFTW said:

Hey DesertRose, not to be too confrontational, but you're way off base here. The part in the OP that you read about not needing to confess had nothing to do with sin confession to God for forgiveness. In context I am talking about people being so caught up in the wrongs of their past that they feel in the present they have to hide something, or put on a mask before others.

Such, as you know, is not the case as God sanctifies us and sets us free, our sins as white as snow. So, no, this post (the OP) is not a lie from the enemy. It had nothing whatsoever to do with what you're addressing. It simply is saying that such shame is oppressive, invasive, and a hindrance when we need to get over the past and push onward "in our upward calling." The past left in the dust as we experience life in the new (literally, we are born-again!).

We teach and preach identity in Christ all the time, because nobody else seems to. Understanding identity in Christ is when chains are broken.

Good word Ben

BillG · Jun 21, 2017

Meggido said:

Amen and that is the truth.

When we truly get who we are in Christ and his pure perfect love for us it releases us.

Releases is into what?

I would be interested to know what other people think to that question.

Also and I leave this up Ben but what about if people really struggle with what he has identified/observed in his starting of this
thread if they are willing to share (not going into details) maybe we can all help each other.

What set us free, why it set us free.

I leave that up to Ben though.

willybob · Jun 21, 2017

Originally Posted by Meggido

We teach and preach identity in Christ all the time, because nobody else seems to. Understanding identity in Christ is when chains are broken.

Can you please BIBLICALY explain "identity in Christ", I cant find it anywhere in the bible.? What I do find is abiding in Christ (manifest reality)..if the branch does not produce fruit worthy of repentance it is cut off...the idea of identity in Christ seems more of an abstract enigma, than the reality of producing (piao) good fruit..In conclusion, to me it sounds more like flatteries than anything else. Great swellimgn words of emptiness maybe.

Meggido · Jun 21, 2017

willybob said:

Lets see if you can follow this....

Abram-Abraham
Sarai-Sarah
Simon-Barjonah- Peter
Saul-Paul

You sheer smug arrogance will not allow you to see it, and its quite all right. Try reading Matt 16.13-20 and maybe you will understand.

Grace777x70 · Jun 21, 2017

Meggido said:

Paul talks about being "in Christ and Christ being in us" over 140 x times in his letters to the saints.

willybob · Jun 21, 2017

i would suppose you could say a Christian identifies himself in Christ. meaning walking the same steps of faith that HE did, but I dont think that is what they mean, because that would be too much work while striving on the narrow path..

willybob · Jun 21, 2017

Meggido said:

I see, you cannot biblicly explain what your vain pundits taught you............Abraham and Sarah walked in the steadfast steps of faith, and engaged not in the vile sins of the flesh that destroy the soul, therefore being obedient servants found worthy in the eyes of God...(manifest reality) is that what you mean?
I

Meggido · Jun 21, 2017

willybob said:

How can one bear fruit and prove to be a disciple before they know who they are in Christ?

Only 1 Disciple understood this and it was Simon-Barjonah/Peter....

Many like you are stuck at the revelation of who Jesus is and stay there. Yet Jesus showed us that we become a new person when we abide with him. The Holy Spirit then tells us who we are in Christ and then our destiny[fruit production] is revealed and we are given the authority to carry out that destiny.

Matt 16.13-20 shows us 4 great Revelations of how we walk out our life here.

It is an abstract enigma because the Holy Spirit has to reveal to you....

The only great swelling of emptiness is your lack of humility...

Meggido · Jun 21, 2017

willybob said:

Did you look up the verses or are you just going to be a coward about it all?

Meggido · Jun 21, 2017

willybob said:

so you have no clue....its not about work, its about resting in him, because once you are who God says you are....you dont strive anymore, because arrogant naysayerw like you melt into obscurity...

willybob · Jun 21, 2017

Meggido said:

Who we are says Solomon: our whole purpose in life is to fear God and keep His commandments, Eccl. 12, not an enigma of neural linguistics..

You sir, I think have been hoodwinked by some very cleaver false prophets while merchandising your soul..

Meggido · Jun 21, 2017

willybob said:

Better check again they walked in obedience and faith as Abram and Sarai as well...so what happened that changed their names/identities

Meggido · Jun 21, 2017

willybob said:

I have taught you more Bible truth in these 4-6 posts than you have ever encountered in your life...Only sheer arrogance blinds you.

Grace777x70 · Jun 22, 2017

Meggido said:

I agree...
Scriptures definitely talk about the flesh and the spirit. We are new creations in Christ 2 Cor. 5:17. We have a new heart now where Christ dwells as one spirit joined. 1 Cor. 6:17.

This is our new true identity in Christ".

The real man in Christ is the spirit and soul. The flesh is the body of sin. It still has the law of sin in it Romans 7:23. We are still responsible with what we do with the members of our body.

When we die - the flesh with the law of sin in it is buried. It does not go to heaven with us because it is NOT the real us.

Walk according to the flesh and you will experience death here on this earth. Take up shooting heroin in your arms and we will see quickly this principle in action.

Here is what Vine's describes this "law of sin" that is in the flesh - acting through the members of our body when we yield to it.

"a governing principle or power, e.g., Rom. 6:6; "(the body) of sin," here "sin" is spoken of as an organized power, acting through the members of the body, "

Vine's Expository Dictionary of Old Testament and New Testament Words.

If we don't understand that God circumcised us by cutting away the new heart of man ( the new creation in Christ ) from the body of flesh - our natural humanistic mind will think we are dis-associating ourselves from the flesh which is of course foolishness.

Colossians 2:11 (NASB)
[SUP]11 [/SUP] and in Him you were also circumcised with a circumcision made without hands, in the removal of the body of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ;

The Holy Spirit in sealing us for the day of redemption. ( Eph. 1:13 , Eph. 4:30 ) cut away the body of our flesh from the inner man in Christ. It is called the circumcision of Christ and of the heart. Romans 2:29

To our natural mindsets - this can lead us to think that the body doesn't matter. This is where the gnostic heresy came about. Taking the truths of the division of the spirit and soul from the flesh that is in the gospel and perverting it.

You can always find out what is being preached by the heresy that comes from that teaching - such as the body is evil and what we do doesn't matter.

The body itself is not evil - Jesus had a body - our bodies have a parasite in it called the "law of sin" and if we yield to the flesh which has that law of sin in it - it will produce the works of the flesh.

This is why we are to preach and teach Christ as the revelation of Him bring grace for living by the spirit instead of the flesh so that we don't fulfull "it's" desires.

Romans 6:12 (NASB)
[SUP]12 [/SUP] Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its lusts,

joaniemarie · Jun 22, 2017

It can be very frustrating to come to this forum and try to share what the Holy Spirit is teaching through the Word and His witness because of the over abundance of unbelief here. I believe our battles and our tribulations are NOT the problems in life coming from situations it brings like weakness, sickness, poverty., and death. But I find the problems for the believer is the "in your face" temptations and onslaughts that come daily from the world the flesh and the devil to doubt God's love and provision for us. Our daily well being depends on how much we keep learning to know and believe about Jesus.

They all 3 come at the Christian to doubt Christ and His given gifts of righteousness and the Holy Spirit our Paraclete to manifest Himself out in our daily lives showing more of Christ. This new and living way is narrow for many believers., so much so they call it the broad way and they refuse to walk it since it means coming over to the miraculous and many refuse to believe God to work in the miraculous today in our lives because it's tooooo exciting and toooooo amazing for every day living. Most Christians believe we are called to live lives like Adam and Eve after the fall. To labor by the sweat and stress of our brow.

The world., the flesh and the devil are constantly throwing defeat at us and it will all come in many ways but as a Christian woman I have seen the attacks that come from these 3 places come down to things like this;

"you are alone in this... you need your mind and your smarts and your money to get you as far as you can here on earth just like everyone else does here..., Those who have money are provided for and you are no different so don't expect to be treated any differently! Be with other people who agree with you to pray so you can get through life here on earth while your friends who believe like you pray by begging God to show you mercy just as you do for them. Beg God to be merciful to you and then....

Maybe.. maybe...just maybe if they and you pray "hard" enough and if they have been "faithful" enough and "good" enough they can get God's ear. (even when you know you have not been worthy enough., they may get through to Him)

God didn't promise the Christian would be helped to live here on earth and be taken care of., you have to do this on your own by your own fine planning and fine living., and maybe if enough good people pray hard enough God could and may be merciful to you. But DON'T look for OR EXPECT any miracles from God! The time for miracles is over!!!, If it were time for miracles God would have done what we think He should do all the time and healed everyone like Joni Ericson Tada.

He has left you here to fend for yourself to learn how to suffer while you have faith in Him to... to... hold your place in heaven while you die either alone., destitute..., sickly..., penniless and wanting (pick the one or more that applies). This is true faith., to endure while the world, the flesh and the devil does it's thing to you. For you to expect help in relief or miracles or healing because of Jesus while you endure is waaay low in the percentages of how God deals with us.

He could if He wants but rarely do people get Him to pity and love them THAT much. Just look again at Joni E. or the innocent people and other babies in the world. You know you are not as good or innocent as they are. Use them as your standard bearer. So endure endure endure till the end... expect misery and death to be your daily companion as you endure till the end. There is no hope in this world only in the next. Don't expect God to show up here since the earth is now owned by the devil.... So says the world the flesh and the devil.

That is a lie that has kept even good Christians in the pits here on earth. Kept us from walking by faith and kept us walking by our sight. To walk by sight is defeat for us Christians because we will only get what we can see and reason out from our limited minds. We use our minds and reasoning and truly that exalts itself above the knowledge of God. I say to myself daily now "DON'T DO THAT!!!" Use Jesus as the standard Bearer. Faith says believe God in Christ will do all Jesus did while He was here. Because if you have seen Jesus you have seen the nature of the Father.

Human sufferers are not higher than Jesus. No matter what anyone else's earthly testimony is., Jesus is higher and His ways are higher and the Bible is higher than our ways. Other believers are only human. We are a called out bunch of people who are also called to live differently than the rest of the world and called to experience God differently than the rest of the world. We are not like the world anymore.., we are like Jesus now. We are IN Jesus and He is in us...As He is so are we in this world. 2 Cor.10:7 We don't have to die and go to heaven today for this truth to be real today. It's already true. The battle we have now is walking it out by faith.

satan is cunning and even gets us to chose not to examine our thoughts but to believe our measly thoughts are just fine thank you very much we say. The enemy doesn't want us to give our worldly tried and "true" for generation thoughts away over to the truth of faith. Instead he wants us holding on to our learned truths saying it was good enough for grandma it's good enough for you!. If I'm not choosing to be willing to submit my thoughts to Jesus thoughts and even while doing it., not look back., I'm not going to see major changes in my faith or my life here.

We are not to live like Adam and Eve after the fall. Jesus bought it all back for us so we are now more than conquerors through Christ who loved us and gave Himself for us. Adam and Eve didn't have that anymore., they forfeited that., but Jesus got it back. We are no longer subject to the enemy and his death., Jesus conquered death., and by faith so can we. Walking by faith means "daily" and step by faith step seeing those many many repercussions of the fall come to an end in our personal lives and the lives of those who we have anything to do with.

samuel23 · Jun 22, 2017

Hey Joan, what you wrote sounds wonderful, but in the reality of the world it does not always work that way. Paul was our example of a believer, and he said I have been up and I have been down, I know how to enjoy having a lot(my paraphrase), and I know how to still be happy when I have little. Life is an up and down experience and God meant it to be that way, there is no secret formula that we can use to make it always be up. When you are on the mountain rejoice and be glad, and when you are in the valley rejoice and be glad(though it will be harder to do).

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