Turning over a New Leaf; Haunted by a Sinful Past

Romans 6:6

“Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.”

King James Version (KJV)

It is not easy living the Christian life. Psalm 51:5 reminds us that we were shapened in iniquity and conceived in sin. Doing evil comes naturally to us and living a life which is contrary to God's will is our first response. However, the fact that it feels natural does not make it right. Christ had to die on the cross for us so that we can have the opportunity to live a life eternal if we are able to accept Him as a personal Saviour and Redeemer. 

Being good, will not come easy. Being Christ-like takes the work of a lifetime to perfect. We can submit ourselves daily to the will of God and allow ourselves to be covered by His blood and still struggle with some besetting sin. We are human and struggles will come. The Bible tells us that: 

Romans 12:3

“For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.” 

No one is perfect! Every one has their own measure of faith. This basically means that every person will overcome a spiritual struggle in their own time. It is ridiculous to use your own measure of faith as a yard stick to judge others. It will only make you a stumbling block and salt which is good for nothing but to be cast out. Some people win the battle with besetting sins in weeks, months, years even decades! 

It is a long process and it is difficult to strip away the layers of sin which envelope you as you grow in Christ but it is possible. Some days you may slip and take some steps back but a loving Saviour who has the entire universe balanced effortlessly in his hands is willing to hold your hand and help you back on to the straight and narrow path that goes to Heaven. The path has to be narrow because it requires followers of Christ to lose self in order to become One with Christ hence we have to drop many sinful thoughts and desires. 

The most important thing is to keep your eyes on Jesus. Carry on looking Heavenward! Up! Don't look right or left to what others are doing. Your salvation is personal and once you seek the Lord with sincere mind and contrite heart you will lose sight of the things of this world. Things which include your darkened past of sin. Some people will not forget and will not want to accept the fact that you have changed your life for the better. As a result, the Devil who is called Satan will use them for his diabolical plans to seek, kill and destroy your relationship with God through mocking and scoffing at your alignment with the Holy One in Three. We are not to be disheartened when they remind us of our past because He who is in us is greater than he who is in the world (1 John 4:4). 

Keep pressing on the upward way!

I’m pressing on the upward way, New heights I’m gaining every day; Still praying as I onward bound, “Lord, plant my feet on higher ground.”
	Lord, lift me up, and let me stand By faith on Canaan’s tableland; A higher plane than I have found,   Lord, plant my feet on higher ground.