Ploafmaster General

I just came back from my small-group Bible study, and we were talking about surrendering our past to God. A lot of our discussion centered around how we identify ourselves.

That got me thinking on a philosophical plane about living in the past vs. the present, and identifying ourselves by what we’ve done vs. what we do.

I figure that a lot of people define themselves by what they’ve done because it’s easier. It’s passive, and it’s past, so there’s nothing you can do about it. You can use your past to support your sense of privilege if you’re the type to identify yourself as a scholar, or define your person by your acheivements. Similarly, you can use your past to excuse yourself from responsibility if you’re the type to identify yourself as a victim, or define your person by your trials.

Living in the present is more difficult. It’s active, and happening now, and directly affected by your present actions. You can’t avoid responsibility, and none of your past accomplishments will guarantee your current success. Difining yourself by what you do rather that what you’ve done requires your movement and decisions.

To claim our identities in Christ requires our action, obedience and reverence - not simply our acknowledgement of what God has done. Our past failures and problems cannot keep us from Christ’s love; nor can they absolve us of our responsibility to Christ’s commands and requests. Our past accomplishments, on the other hand, are nothing in the sight of a perfect Creator; nor will they ever satisfy the infinite debt of our sin. Only our ongoing commitment to Jesus, and acceptance of His sacrifice saves us, and defines us appropriately.