I remember as a kid watching reruns of “The Brady Bunch” everyday after school.
On several episodes the producers wanted to take the audience back in time (usually a few days) to the past to complete the story, so the characters would be looking off as these little “squiggly” lines moved across the screen. It was a “Flashback.”
It was always pertinent to the plot of the story.
There are times when we NEED a Flashback.
First, the Bible says in Romans 8:1-
“There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.”
No, there is no condemnation in Christ for our past confessed, repented sins, but I believe we need to remind ourselves of the pain and destruction that the particular sin caused, so that we will not repeat that bad behavior again.
This “Flashback” is not to relive it or to beat ourselves up for our past, but to simply remind ourselves.
I have a scar on my right thumb from a splinter that I received as a child. My Granny took a needle and dug it out. It was painful! That scar is a small reminder of PAIN.
In our remembrance, we must be careful. We can’t allow the enemy to sneak in and bring us back to that sinful place. We must commit to God and allow His Holy Spirit to strengthen and fill us. Instead of focusing on our past, focus on what God did to forgive us for THAT past.
God forgives and extends grace to us. For that, I’m thankful.
Hebrews 8:12 “For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more.”
Prayer starter: “Father, thank You for extending grace to me and forgiving me of my past. I ask that You allow me to tell Your goodness to everyone I meet. In Jesus name. Amen.”
