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“I shall remember the deeds of the Lord.”  Psalm 77:11

We often hear the exhortation to not “live in the past”—especially when it comes to basking in those glory days of youth. Sometimes, though, we dwell on the hurt and brokenness of our past…and it’s tempting to wallow in the “comfort” of pain, like a pig in the mud. Both of these approaches can keep our necks twisted and eyes looking back—so much so that we can miss the now and what will be.

As a follower of Christ, our past (BC—or “before Christ” life) holds a paradox that can trip us up. Are we to let go of our past, not dwelling on where we’ve been and who we once were? Forgetting what lies behind and only striving toward what’s ahead (Philippians 3:13)? Well, no and yes. Let me explain.

The Bible has a lot to say about this topic. Are we supposed to forget/let go of our past? According to the Apostle Paul in Philippians 3: 4-9, yes. See, before Paul surrendered to Jesus, he was all about earning his own righteousness (he was incredibly “self-righteous”). He had every reason to have confidence in his background, abilities, and previous actions to earn favor with God. But, once he accepted Jesus as His Lord and Savior, he counted his impressive past as dung/rubbish. He didn’t need it. The value of knowing Christ allowed him to let go of all those efforts to earn God’s love and embrace the gift of grace. So, we’re to forget about our past efforts to “do more good than bad” and earn our way to heaven. Only through Christ are we made righteous.

But we also need to remember and hold on to our past.

First, like the healed blind man in the gospel of John, we need to be very clear about one thing: We were blind, and now we see (John 9:25). Jesus, fully God and fully man, lived a perfect life yet took the death penalty for our sin, and rose again in victory—making a way of reconciliation with God. Again, it’s Paul (this time in Ephesians 2:1-10) who reminds us to remind ourselves: We were dead, living for our own desires, satisfying the flesh in the ways of the world; BUT GOD, rich in mercy, made us alive in Christ by His grace—a gift from God, not by anything we’ve done. Then he says in verses 11-13: Remember, you were separate from Christ, without hope and without God. But now in Christ Jesus, you who once were far away have been brought near by the blood of Christ. Don’t forget your past because you are a miracle of God! BUT, because we are made new creations in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:16-17), we’re not to wallow or celebrate our BC life either! (Ah, another paradox in and of itself!)

Next, throughout the Old and New Testament, we are told to remember all the works of God in our lives. It may be shocking, but life after accepting Jesus is NOT all lollipops and sunshine. (Things will probably get a lot more challenging.) But the Lord fights for us (Deuteronomy 20:4). He is our refuge and strength (Psalm 46:1). Through every trial and testing, He walks with—or carries—us, and He is our comfort (2 Corinthians 1:3-4). And we must rehearse every miracle, every answered prayer (Joshua 4). Whether He calms the storm or just keeps us calm in its midst, let’s remember that the Lord is near to us (Psalm 145:18; James 4:8).

Our past is important to who we are—especially who we are in Christ. But what to do with it is not really an enigma. We’re to let go of some things and hold fast to others. The litmus is simple: Does it glorify God? Then hold on. And tell others.

“Lord, my story is Yours. Use Your work in my life to testify to Your goodness, grace, mercy, and love—glorifying You and drawing others to Christ.”

For His Glory

Julianne Winkler Smith
TRBC Women’s Life