Worship that is Relevant Focuses on the Present and the Future, NOT the Past, Part 2

Scripture: 1 Peter 4:3-6

For the time already past is sufficient for you to have carried out the desire of the Gentiles, having pursued a course of sensuality, lusts, drunkenness, carousing, drinking parties and abominable idolatries.  In all this, they are surprised that you do not run with them into the same excesses of dissipation, and they malign you; but they will give account to Him who is ready to judge the living and the dead.  For the gospel has for this purpose been preached even to those who are dead, that though they are judged in the flesh as men, they may live in the spirit according to the will of God.

Insights:  In these verses we see all three aspects of time being portrayed.  In the first part we see that Satan often times attempts to take our mind back to the “time already past” which was full of sin and self-idolatry.  Because of our past Satan often times tries to tell us that we are not really born again as he reminds us of our former sins and way of life.  In our present, Satan uses some of our former associates to malign us because of our previous life.  We, on the other hand, no longer run with them.  We, because our focus is on the Lord, are able to live a life which is contradictory to our past.  The future is set based on the decisions of this life.  What I mean by that statement is that if we are born again, those who are saved by Jesus’ work on the cross of Calvary, we are judged in the flesh as men, but we will live in the spirit with the Lord.  We will be glorified.  For those who are not born again, however, they will give an account to Jesus for their rejection of Him and the way in which they maligned those of us who are born again.  Here is the key to all three of these time frames—worship!  If we are worshipping the Lord, then our focus is not on ourselves and our past or our personal greatness, but on Him.  He is the only One worthy of our worship.  When we are worshipping Him, we no longer have a desire for the things of our past.  We desire to please Him because our focus has changed.

Questions:

1.  Does Satan often times bring up your past in order to prevent you from walking in faith?

2.  Have you allowed the Lord to change your focus to be on Him in the present as you look toward your future with Him through worship?

Prayer: Father, it is easy to say I will not be dictated to by my past, but it is another thing all together to always live this reality out in my daily life.  Lord, deliver me from my ill thoughts and false faith that often rises because of my past failures.  Let me walk wholly in Your grace in this moment as I long for You in my future glory.  Amen.