Dennis Abernathy

A wise man once said: “One of the devil’s most successful temptations is to occupy our minds with the past and the future, so as to neglect the present.” It’s important to remember the past, and the Bible teaches us to do that. For example, in 1 Corinthians 10 the apostle Paul spoke about Old Testament happenings and said: “These things were our examples, to the intent we should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted.” Then he said: “All these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they were written for our admonition.” So, we do need to remember the past.

And it’s also important to live in view of God’s promises about the future. For example, in 2 Peter 3, after reminding us that Jesus is coming again and “the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up,” Peter then says: “Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in all holy conversation and godliness.” So, not only do we need to remember the past, but we also must not forget what the future holds.

But it is also true that we can become so caught up in the past, or in the future, that we forget to really live in the present. You see, in both 1 Corinthians 10, where Paul tells us to remember the past, and in 2 Peter 3, where Peter tells us not to forget the future, the point of both is to motivate us to live for God right now! 2 Corinthians 6: 2 says: “Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.” This speaks with a sense of urgency. We are reminded of Jeremiah 8: 20 which reads: “The harvest is past, the summer is ended, and we are not saved.” Is this true of you, my friend, regarding salvation?

Dear reader, don’t become so preoccupied with pass success or failures, or future dreams or fears that you are not saved and obediently serving God right now; TODAY!