Orthodox blog in english

[Иван Недић]

http://onbehalfofall.org/

[jermel]

http://fatherstephen.wordpress.com/

[angst]

http://www.piousfabrications.com

[jermel]

http://www.orthodoxmom.com/

[Hoffman]

^{The Past}

 

There are many people who cling to memories of past sins, holding on to guilt and shame, reliving things long ago confessed, as though they happened yesterday. They struggle with regrets, often revisiting shame as though they were archeologists, digging for historical artifacts that must be preserved.

Such is not the case with God, for His interest is not in our past, but in our future. Confessed sins are counted as nothing, for God looks with interest on the transformed heart that has been made anew, with contrition. God looks to our future, for His loving mercy is upon the man who has confessed his sin, and that sin is counted as nothing. God is interested in what we are doing with our future, and as a loving Father takes pleasure in the steps we take in our journey towards Him.

For us to look back is to reject the very role of confession, for if we cling to past regrets, we are rejecting the very meaning of repentance, which means a change of heart and taking a direction that is all about the future. Transformation is not something that happens in an instant, but is a journey towards holiness, and as long as we look to the future with hope, transformation of the heart continues, and our past becomes but a fading memory.

A verse from the Psalms gives us added encouragement: “As far as the East is from the West, I remember your sin no more!” and from the New Testament: “He is faithful and just to forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

Love in Christ,

Abbot Tryphon

http://blogs.ancientfaith.com/morningoffering/2015/03/the-past/