“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!”
– 2 Corinthians 5:17
The other day I was telling a story about how I got arrested the morning after my junior year prom. And I really just didn’t feel right reliving that story. It was almost as if the Spirit of God temporarily left me while I went back thru that time in my heart and mind.
I think now I finally understand the line that must be drawn when sharing my past and my testimony. And that is, the devil REALLY is in the details. Why do I want to speak a dead man back into existence? Now, what do I mean when I say that. Well here’s the deal, when I tell those stories in such detail, my mind takes me right back to that place. Next thing I know I’m that 17 year old kid again. But the thing is, that time in my life has been dead and buried for years. So why go there again? The old truly is gone! The new has come!
I realize I may have gotten sober overnight back in 2001, but it’s taken six years for God to give me the eyes to see that I am a new creation in His Son. I feel like I’ve got this new perspective on how the Lord views me. Now, I know it says in the Bible we are the sons and daughters of God, but I’m just now beginning to see that become a reality in my life. I’m truly a Son in the Lord! He really did raise me from death to new life. And that gives me the peace and confidence He’ll continue this mighty work in me by stripping away the things that are not of Him. It’s a constant process. Something old and dead is ALWAYS falling off, while things of His spirit take its place! But the catch is, the Holy Spirit needs building materials. And those materials are prayer, God’s Word and spoken words of life and encouragement – words that describe the new man, not words that speak of things long dead. My friends, the power of life and death resides in our tongues. (James 3) And for me, bringing up details of the past just brings death over my new life.
Now, that’s not to say I’m ashamed or embarrassed of my past or that I think its better to hide it. It’s the story God gave me and I praise Him for it. But, it can be shared in such a way that still glorifies the Lord without all the gory details.
“But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead.”
– Philippians 3:13b
And what is ahead for me? A life fully devoted to the Lord. He has reconciled me to Him thru His Son Jesus. And now I’ve been given the ministry of reconciliation. (2 Cor. 5:18-20) Which means, bringing people to the Lord so that this world as a whole can turn back to Him.
So, this is my “new” life! I’m a minister of reconciliation and a son in the Lord. The Spirit of God directs me; therefore, I bear the fruits of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness and self-control. These are the words I want spoken over me constantly – words of LIFE!
