Do you ever feel like you are stuck in a rut, repeating the same mistakes and sins over and over again?
Do you struggle to break free from the patterns and habits that keep you from experiencing God's best for you?
Do you wonder if there is more to life than what you see and feel right now?
If you answered yes to any of these questions, you are not alone.
A Clash of Two Selves
In the journey of spiritual transformation, believers often grapple with the tension between their old and new selves, a struggle that Isaiah 43:18–19 addresses by offering a twofold solution: a command to forget the past and a promise of an unmatched and glorious future.
The Scriptures say that every temptation you face is common to every human (1 Cor. 10:13). Many Christians face the same dilemma of living in the tension between the old self and the new self in Christ.
The old self is the part of us that is not following God’s ways but rather doing things that are wrong and harmful to ourselves and others. It is also affected by the world, which means the moral system—the values and practices that are opposed to God and His will, influenced by the devil and the flesh (John 15:19; 1 John 2:15–17). It is the part that resists positive change and clings to the familiar.
The new self, however, is the part of us that is born again by God’s grace and empowered by the Spirit. It is the part that seeks to grow in faith and holiness, the part that mirrors God’s character and plan.
The problem is that the old self and the new self are in constant conflict. They are two states of a person who has believed in Christ. The old self is a heavy burden that pulls us away from God, while the new self is a light that draws us closer to Him. The old self is a cruel master that enslaves us to sin, while the new self is a gracious friend that liberates us from guilt. The old self is a bitter enemy that robs us of peace, while the new self is a loving ally that fills us with joy.
Transformative Testimony: A Rapper's Story
Lecrae is a Grammy-winning Christian rapper who has a powerful testimony of transformation. He was sexually molested as a child, and he turned to rap music, gangs, and drugs as a way of coping. He became addicted to alcohol, marijuana, and cocaine, and he was involved in theft, vandalism, and fights. He was arrested several times, and he even tried to commit suicide.
When he attended a Christian conference at the age of 19, his life began to change. He heard the gospel message and felt convicted of his sin and need for a Savior. He decided to give his life to Christ and follow Him. However, he still struggled with his old habits and temptations. He felt like he didn’t fit in with the church culture, and he was ashamed of his past. He also faced criticism and rejection from his old friends, who thought he had betrayed them.
To forget the former and embrace the new in Christ, Lecrae realized that he needed to study the Bible and learn more about God’s grace and love. He also found mentors and friends who supported him and helped him grow in his faith. He discovered his gift and passion for rap music, and he decided to use it for God’s glory and purpose. He began to rap about his testimony and the gospel, and he reached out to people who were going through the same struggles that he had faced. He also founded a record label, Reach Records, to promote Christian hip-hop and urban ministry.
Lecrae’s testimony of transformation has inspired millions of people around the world. He has won several awards and accolades for his music and ministry, and he has collaborated with many famous artists and celebrities. He has also written a book, Unashamed, where he shares his story and his message of hope and redemption. He continues to rap and preach the gospel, and he is passionate about making disciples and serving the marginalized and oppressed.
He is a living example of how God can do a new thing in anyone’s life and how someone can experience a radical transformation and overcome the tensions between their old and new selves.
A two-fold solution.
The good news is that there is a solution to this tension. The solution, according to Isaiah 43:18–19, is twofold. There is a command to obey and a promise to be believed.
The command is to forget former things because what God is about to do is unmatched in glory and better than the life we have lived before. The way to forget is to stop dwelling in the former state.
We shouldn't keep our minds on the pleasures of sin and what looked like the good old days. And even when it comes to the mistakes and sins we have made in the past, the command is to not dwell on them. It is a command we must follow.
The mind is the key to transformation. You will only experience what your mind is focused on. It is the reason you should not reminisce about old patterns.
A New Life Beckons
The promise is that God is doing a new thing. This new life has to be seen in two ways: what you have already been made in Christ and the experience of it.
Since everyone who believes in Christ Jesus has been made new (2 Cor. 5:17), this means that the promise has been fulfilled. What remains of the promise is for the believers to experience that life.
On the practical side, the believer has to decide where his mind dwells. If he or she is concerned more about the former life, they will continue to experience the old currents as though nothing new has taken place in their spirits.
Yet, if they switch their minds from the life they lived before knowing Christ and start to focus on who they have become spiritually, they will experience that new life.
Obeying the command to forget the past positions you to experience the uniqueness of the new life in Christ.
By telling Israel to forget, God was telling them not to compare God's former wonders among them with the new and greater things that God was about to do, such as the redemption by the Messiah.
The word “forget” implies that the new things would be so wonderful and glorious that they would eclipse the former things in the minds and hearts of God’s people. God wanted them to focus on the future and not dwell on the past. He wanted them to give heed to the new thing that He was doing, which was making a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert (Isaiah 43:19).
Challenges To Be Overcome
I know. Letting go of past habits can be an uphill task and may be difficult or even seem impossible for some individuals. Some common challenges that Christians face when they are trying to let go of the past include:
- Guilt and shame: You feel guilty or ashamed of your past sins and mistakes and struggle to accept God’s forgiveness and grace. This leads you to a constant cycle of self-condemnation and hinders your ability to fully embrace the freedom that God offers. Perhaps you fear the judgment of others as you worry about how your past actions will be perceived by fellow Christians or society. To overcome these challenges, you need to deeply understand God’s unconditional love and forgiveness and surround yourself with a supportive community that encourages growth and transformation.
- Temptation and pressure: Temptations and pressures from your old friends, habits, and environments challenge you to resist or break free from them. These external influences create a constant battle between your desire to live according to God’s will and the pull of your previous lifestyle. You need strength, determination, and reliance on God’s guidance to resist these temptations and break free from negative influences.
- Doubt and fear: Doubt, confusion, or fear about your new identity and purpose in Christ can overwhelm you and make you wonder if you are truly changed or saved. These emotions cause you to question your faith and commitment to God. You can alleviate these doubts and fears by seeking guidance from mentors, studying scripture, and praying for reassurance. You need to remember that transformation takes time and that God’s love and grace are always available to you.
- Criticism and rejection: Criticism, rejection, or persecution from others who do not understand or support your decision to follow Christ makes you feel lonely or isolated. You need to find a supportive community of fellow believers who can provide encouragement and understanding. You can combat feelings of loneliness and isolation by connecting with like-minded individuals through church groups, Bible studies, or online communities. You also need to remind yourself of the ultimate acceptance and love from God, which can provide strength and resilience in the face of opposition.
- Balance and integration: You need to balance your commitment to Christ with your responsibilities and relationships in the world and find a way to integrate your faith into every aspect of your life. You can seek guidance from spiritual mentors or leaders who can provide practical advice on how to navigate these challenges. You can gain valuable insights on how to maintain a strong faith while still fulfilling your obligations in the secular world.
Remember that only His divine power can transform you from the old to the new. He does not ask you to simply try harder, to do better, or to be more religious. He does not tell you to rely on your strength, wisdom, or willpower. He wants you to trust in God’s grace, power, and promise. He wants you to cooperate with him by taking steps away from the past and closer to Christ. He invites you to join Him in His work of renewal and restoration.
You can focus on the new life in Christ by cultivating a daily habit of prayer and meditation on God’s word, seeking accountability and support from fellow believers who are spiritually mature, and actively pursuing a deeper relationship with God through worship and service. You can learn more about God’s plan for you to let go of the past in my devotional book, becoming an influence.
The Transformative Journey
What does it mean for you to let go of the past and embrace the new in Christ? It means you give up your old self to God and join Christ in His death. It means you accept your new self from God and live in the reality of your resurrection with Christ.
It means you walk by faith and not by sight, knowing that God is transforming you and working through you. It means you do not let your appearance and struggles define you, but trust that you are becoming more like Christ by faith. It means you follow the Holy Spirit and listen to His voice. It means you taste the joy and freedom of being a new creation in Christ. This process leads to an amazing outcome.
As you let go of the past and embrace the new in Christ, you grow in Christlikeness. You cultivate love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. You produce fruit that honors and glorifies God. You find your true identity and purpose in God’s kingdom. You deepen and enrich your relationship with God and others. You impact the world for God’s glory.
Urgent Call
Today, I urge you to release the past and welcome the new in Christ.
Don’t let the old self keep you from the new life that God has for you. Don’t let the past shape you or constrain you. Don’t let the enemy steal the joy and freedom that God has for you. Rather, let God do a new thing in you and through you. Let Him change you into the likeness of His Son. Let Him fill you with His Spirit and His power. Let Him use you for His glory and His purpose. Join me in this prayer:
Prayer for Change
"Lord, I praise You for the new life that You have given me in Christ. I admit that I have often held on to past patterns and rejected the new lifestyle. I ask you to forgive me and help me let go. I give up my old self to you and accept my new self from you. I trust you to do something new in me and through me. I work with Your Spirit and follow Your guidance. I look forward to seeing your goodness and your glory in my life. I pray in Jesus’ name, amen."
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