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Matthew 6:33 – Living in the Past, Present, and Future
Wisdom has spoken about the need to live in the present, preaching that we cannot change the past and that the future is not yet here, therefore advising we must live in the present. Jesus Himself spoke wisely about living in the present when He said, Therefore don’t worry about tomorrow, because tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own (Matthew 6:34 HCSB).
There is wisdom in living in the present, in the here and now. From a practical standpoint, that is the only way to live. No one can actually live in the future, and so-called “living the past” is nothing more than living the present in a very passive and sad way.
But what does living in the present really mean? Is it possible to live in the present without the past? Is it possible to live in the present without the future? I repeat, is it possible? No. That’s because there is no present that is not tied to the past, and there is no future that is not connected to the present.
The past forms the present which forms the future. We live in the past and in the future when in living in the present. Today reflects the past, good or bad. When escaping our past, our past is present – which is repentance (Acts 2:38).
When building upon a good foundation in the future, our past is present today. Today’s decisions will be lived out in the future, whether we try to escape them or build upon them (Matthew 7:24-27).
The ever connected time-warp of the past, present, and future is what the gospel is all about. In the gospel it is impossible to respond to the gospel without the past being vividly replayed within our heart and mind as we accept forgiveness in the present. It is impossible to respond to the gospel without the future being hoped for and lived for as our present decision to follow Christ forever forms every future decision.
Romans 6:22 NASB But now having been freed from sin and enslaved to God, you derive your benefit, resulting in sanctification, and the outcome, eternal life.
We even see this time-connectivity in the Lord’s Supper. 1 Corinthians 11:23-26 HCSB (23) For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: on the night when He was betrayed, the Lord Jesus took bread, (24) gave thanks, broke it, and said, “This is My body, which is for you. Do this in remembrance of Me.” (25) In the same way He also took the cup, after supper, and said, “This cup is the new covenant in My blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.” (26) For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until He comes.
Knowing this, that the concept of time and its impact on me is far more evolved than just what time it is, let’s progress further, even more personally.
Nothing has occurred in our past which does not shape us today – whether good or bad. That is especially true for those having suffered childhood traumas, and adult tragedies. Some of us have holes in our hearts which have never healed. We are empty, and need to be filled.
Those who ignore their past and the horrors possibly associated with it, are unwarily imprisoned by their own fear to face their fear; shackled by their own hurt from being hurt; and ultimately, chained from being who they truly are by their own selves.
Then there are those who acknowledge the pain, but refuse freedom, choosing instead to remain in bondage to chains they see, fearful of a freedom they cannot see. That old emotional prison is comfortable because it is known.
And finally, and thankfully, there are those who decide to break the chains of their past, to remove the pain by removing the shackles of hurt and anger. The key is forgiveness. Forgiveness sets us free, just as it set Paul free. Why? Because forgiveness is sending away the pain (one of the Greek words for forgiveness means to “send away”)
Then there are the blessed ones whose past formed the stable and spiritual foundation upon which they stand today. Their foundation of strength enables them to stand strong against forces of evil (Ephesians 6:10-17).
In light of this, whether the foundation is shaky or firm, let me say this very seriously – Parents are not just raising children. They are creating adults. Read that again if necessary, or just let me say it again – Parents are not just raising children, they are creating adults.
Decisions made today form the future. The word “consequence” literally means “to follow after.” Every decision, whether good or bad, has a consequence. There is no such thing as an isolated action, decision, or thought. That is such a hard concept for children to learn, and I don’t think we adults do much better. For example, grades in school today shape our life after High School. Deciding to forego or to follow educational possibilities forms our future. Who we date decides who we marry – it is impossible to marry the wrong kind of person if we don’t date the wrong kind of person. These are just some everyday actions.
But more importantly, there is an eternal existence. Decisions made today – do they lead us to eternal freedom or to eternal imprisonment? In other words, make good choices today either despite or because of your past; and form your future for good, for God and for all of eternity.
Perry D. Hall
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