Get Past The Past

My good friend Kevin Bair was talking to me about past failed relationships that were hindering growing forward, when he made a prophetic statement: I am a sinner no doubt, however, I have gotten past my past.  Besides, there is to much Fresh Sin God wants to deal with me about.

Kevin went on to say that if he or anyone else is still stuck on there past, the garbage in our lives is constantly building-up to the point that your living in a dump and don't even know it.  You think you have one issue, when there are tons of issues in each of us that needs attention.  God, being the gentleman that He is, never overwhelms us when dealing with these issues.

1 Corinthians 10:13 NLT  The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, He will show you a way out so that you can endure.

So how do I stop the flow of garbage and why is it even necessary - I can handle it...  Oh Really; Garbage-in, Garbage-out!  The garbage of life enters by two gates:

(1)  The Eye Gate:  Satan temps us here and this is where we all fall.

Genesis 3:4-7 NLT  "You won't die!" the serpent replied to the woman.  "God knows that your eyes will be opened as soon as you eat it, and you will be like God, knowing both good and evil."  The woman was convinced. She saw that the tree was beautiful and its fruit looked delicious, and she wanted the wisdom it would give her. So she took some of the fruit and ate it. Then she gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it, too.  At that moment their eyes were opened, and they suddenly felt shame at their nakedness. So they sewed fig leaves together to cover themselves.

(2)  The Ear Gate:  Satan first temps Eve by slightly corrupting God's word and feeding it to her as if it was truth.

Genesis 3:1-3 NLT  The serpent was the shrewdest of all the wild animals the LORD God had made. One day he asked the woman, "Did God really say you must not eat the fruit from any of the trees in the garden?"  "Of course we may eat fruit from the trees in the garden," the woman replied.   "It's only the fruit from the tree in the middle of the garden that we are not allowed to eat. God said, 'You must not eat it or even touch it; if you do, you will die.'"

Finish this sentence;  God helps those who___________________?  If you said; "helps themselves", then you have been corrupted!?  If we could help ourselves we wouldn't need God, it is when we come to the end of ourselves that Jesus is most strong in our lives.

2 Corinthians 13:9 NASB  For we rejoice when we ourselves are weak but you are strong; this we also pray for, that you be made complete.

It is our faith, not faith in faith but faith in Christ that strengthens us.  How do I build this faith you ask?

Romans 10:17 NKJV  So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

The word "hearing" occurs twice meaning something we do over and over and over...  Ok, but how do I get rid of the garbage of the world that is already in there (you always ask the good questions)?

Romans 12:2 NLT  Don't copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think.  Then you will learn to know God's will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.

Our problem is we try to make ourselves "better".  When you put perfume on garbage it is still garbage.  God does not make us better - He makes us NEW!!!

2 Corinthians 5:17 NLT  This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!

Lastly, Forgive!  Forgive me, forgive your spouse, forgive your family, forgive your friends, forgive your enemies.  Un-forgiveness, doctors tell us is killing us from the inside out?

Colossians 3:13 NLT  Make allowance for each other's faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others.

Blessings
ernie