|
Regrets? ... More Than a Few
By George Stroh
August 27, 2012
I Find then the principle that evil is present in me, the one who wants to do good. (Romans 7:21)
There is a line in the old Frank Sinatra song, "My Way" that goes; "Regrets, I've had a few... But then to few to mention." As I look back over 67 years of life, 37 of them as a follower of Jesus Christ, I confess that I have more than just a few regrets. And if you are a believer, I'm sure you have too.
Even the Apostle Paul had many regrets, writing that he was among the greatest of sinners; It is a trustworthy statement, deserving full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, among whom I am foremost of all. (1 Timothy 1:15) Like Paul, we are thankful that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, and has forever saved us from the penalty of our sin; Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. (Romans 8:1)
For believers, sin leads to shame and regret. We can never lose our salvation, but our sin does grieve God who has redeemed us; Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. (Ephesians 4:30)
When Jesus was ask about the greatest commandment he said; "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the great and foremost commandment. The second is like it; You shall love your neighbor as yourself." Our regrets are the result of not loving God and others as we should.
Unfortunately, we can't undo the past sins we now regret. But, like the Apostle Paul, we accept God's total forgiveness and move forward in faith, hope, and especially, love; Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 3:13-14)
... but thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. (1 Corinthians 15:57) Through Him we can and must love more and regret less! Maranatha!
|
