Then, Now, and Tomorrow
THEN is memories, memories of a childhood, a new son or daughter and even some events that are not so pleasant. “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.” Romans 8:28 (Study Bible – ESV, English Standard Version, Crossway Bibles, 2014.) And because God loves us, what occurred in our past is not something that needs to be carried around like an old suitcase. We can begin a new life whenever we accept Christ and learn to accept His love and blessings.
NOW gives us a chance to benefit from things we learned in our past and use those experiences to grow. The victorious Christian life is the life that is lived, by faith, in a moment-by-moment surrender to God. The victorious Christian life is rooted and grounded in faith. “For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is victory that has overcome the world-our faith. Who is it that overcomes the world except the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?” 1 John 5:4-5 (English Standard Version.) In the NOW we learn and grow in Christ to be able to take His word to the ends of the earth and share His victory over death and sin.
And TOMORROW? Tomorrow is the culmination of all our experiences and knowledge that we have gained in our life as we learn to live, love, and share God’s word with others. “And Jesus came and said to them, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.’” Matthew 28:18 (English Standard Version.)
Not only are we blessed to be following His word, but we receive an added blessing that He will be with us to the end of the age. What a feeling of comfort, a feeling of peace and the knowledge that He that is in us is stronger than he that is in the world.