How can you prepare for the "former things" to be forgotten? Setting the Scene Isaiah 65:17 — “For behold, I will create new heavens and a new earth. The former things will not be remembered, nor will they come to mind.” Why the “Former Things” Must Fade • God is preparing an entirely renewed creation where sin, sorrow, and regret have no place (Revelation 21:4). • His promise of “new heavens and a new earth” is literal and certain, so every part of life that belongs to the old order must be released. • Forgetting former things is not mere memory loss; it is complete deliverance from the stain of the Fall (Romans 8:21). Identifying the “Former Things” • Personal sin and shame already nailed to the cross (Colossians 2:14). • Painful memories, broken relationships, past failures. • The entire system marked by decay—disease, injustice, death (Romans 8:22). God’s Blueprint for Letting Go 1. Redemption in Christ – 2 Corinthians 5:17: “Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.” 2. Renewal of the mind – Romans 12:2: “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” 3. Forward-looking faith – Philippians 3:13-14: “Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal…” Practical Steps Toward Freedom • Saturate your thinking with Scripture that declares your new identity. • Confess lingering sins immediately, trusting 1 John 1:9 for cleansing. • Celebrate the Lord’s Supper regularly, remembering His finished work instead of your unfinished past. • Cultivate gratitude lists that rehearse God’s mercies rather than old wounds (Lamentations 3:22-23). • Serve others; active love displaces self-absorption with God’s present purposes (Galatians 5:13). Living in Anticipation of the New • Hold possessions loosely, knowing present forms are temporary (1 Corinthians 7:31). • Practice Sabbath rhythms, foretasting the rest that will define the new creation (Hebrews 4:9-10). • Keep eternal rewards in view; faithful obedience now echoes into the age when former things vanish (Matthew 6:19-20). Encouragement for Today The day is coming when every stain, scar, and sorrow will be erased. Preparing for that moment means embracing the new life offered in Christ, rehearsing His promises, and orienting every choice toward the world that is about to break in. As you do, the grip of the “former things” loosens, and heaven’s freshness starts to permeate your present walk. |
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