Being Held Back

Do you love having your nose rubbed in your past sins, failures and mistakes? How much do you struggle with not doing it to yourself, or have you been able to move on? Are there people in your life who constantly remind you of who you once were, and once did? In such instances, it might be tempting to look back. Do you feel held back at times?
   It can be tough to hear those voices say, “You’ll never change.” In truth, some do not want you to change for the better; much less, accept you have changed because of Jesus Christ. Have you accepted it? Part of changing is receiving the fact you have been already transformed, without your effort. It’s by God’s grace, which we received through faith (see Ephesians 2:8-10).
   2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
   This verse is a greater reminder that we have been made new, even when it doesn’t feel that way. That being said, it is important to understand that how we treat others affects whether we move forward, or are held back.

Why Would Anyone Do It to Someone Else?

Nobody loves having their nose rubbed in it, so why would anyone do that to someone else? When a person is in need of mercy, he feels as if everyone should understand his position. Ironically, when others are in need, he doesn’t feel as empathetic to their plight. How quickly some forget what is like to be in those shoes. It seems as if they are more compassionate toward others when they themselves are going through it.
   It doesn’t hurt to remember where we came from, so we can stay sensitive to others when they’re struggling. Of course, that does not mean we live there. It gives us a testimony about how God changed our lives. “That’s who I once was, but now this is who I am in Christ Jesus.” Mercy comes easier to those who are merciful (see Matthew 5:7).
   If individuals feel compelled to use people’s past against them, are they dealing with unforgiveness? What does Jesus say about that (see Matthew 6:15)? Perhaps, it’s a need to feel superior to others, which is nothing more than self-righteousness, and the pride of life. Maybe they feel the need to control others, so they’ll use their past against them to manipulate them in some way. One obvious method is guilting others into some sort of behavior or action. This is exactly what the devil does. To be more direct, using their past against them is demonic!
   Be warned, those who beat people over the head with their past, are holding themselves back. How so?
   Galatians 6:7-8 Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.
   This is a very straight forward principle. If you find people have been less apt to extend mercy to you, check your mercy-meter. This may also be a sign of bitterness trying to creep into your heart. Secondly, it indicates whether a person is being carnal. Likewise, by reminding others of their past, you may actually be reminding yourself of your own failures. Some tend to accuse others of what they are guilty. Afterall, it can make one feel better. Hmm.
Romans 2:1 Therefore you have no excuse, every one of you who passes judgment, for in that which you judge another, you condemn yourself; for you who judge practice the same things (NASB).

See Through a Different Lens

2 Corinthians 5:16-17 Therefore from now on we recognize no one according to the flesh; even though we have known Christ according to the flesh, yet now we know Him in this way no longer. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come (NASB).
   A helpful prayer is asking God to show us others through His eyes. It is much easier to encourages them when we see them from His point of view. He sees them as who they are in Jesus; whereas, we tend to view them through the eyes of the flesh. The beauty of redemption is it holds no one’s past against him.
Incidentally, holding one another accountable is not about calling one another to the carpet; rather, it’s about calling each other up. “That’s not who you are; this is who you are.”  It is important to encourage others to walk in their true identity.

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