Close that Chapter of your Life

Forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead.

Philippians 3:13

Many of us have regrets that continue to haunt us into our adult years. If we continue to allow this pattern of thinking, we will prevent ourselves from experiencing the greater things in Christ. Paul the apostle who authored most of the New Testament and led countless people to Jesus was once a persecutor of the church. He condemned believers to death or prison. Yet, God changed him from the inside out and he was able to significantly influence even the modern church through his writings.

Could you imagine if Paul was hesitant to write letters to the churches because of his past? What would the church look like if Paul didn’t reach out to the Gentiles of his day? He had to break through his past regrets and move on towards God’s purpose for his life. We also need to close the chapters of our past regrets and move on towards our calling. How do we do this?

#1) Confess our sins to God and others.
“Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed.”
(James 5:16)

#2) Embrace spiritual disciplines of prayer, Bible study, and Christian fellowship into our lives.
“I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.” (Romans 12:1)

#3) Remove anything or anyone from our past that continues to drive and influence us towards sin.
“And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.” (Galatians 5:24)

Just like Paul, God has something better for us. However, we need to let go of our regrets and press forward in faith.