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What does the Bible say about past?

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The Bible teaches that believers need not be ruled by their past, because God forgives sin, makes His people new in Christ, and calls them to press forward in faith. Isaiah 43:18-19 points to God’s power to do a new work rather than leave His people trapped in former things. In Christ, the old has passed away and there is no condemnation for those who belong to Him (2 Corinthians 5:17; Romans 8:1). Christians should confess sin and receive God’s cleansing (1 John 1:9), resist the devil (James 4:7), and, like Paul, forget what lies behind and pursue Christ’s calling ahead (Philippians 3:13-14).

Top passages, ranked by readers

Rankings: OpenBible.info Topical Bible (CC BY) · Scripture: World English Bible

  • Isaiah 43:18-19

    [18] Don't remember the former things, neither consider the things of old. [19] Behold, I will do a new thing; now shall it spring forth; shall you not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert.

  • Isaiah 43:18

    Don't remember the former things, neither consider the things of old.

  • 2 Corinthians 5:17

    Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old things have passed away. Behold, all things have become new.

  • Luke 9:62

    But Jesus said to him, "No one, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the Kingdom of God."

  • Philippians 3:12-14

    [12] Not that I have already obtained, or am already made perfect; but I press on, if it is so that I may take hold of that for which also I was taken hold of by Christ Jesus. [13] Brothers, I don't regard myself as yet having taken hold, but one thing I do. Forgetting the things which are behind, and stretching forward to the things which are before, [14] I press on toward the goal for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

  • 1 John 1:9

    If we confess our sins, he is faithful and righteous to forgive us the sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

  • James 4:7

    Be subject therefore to God. But resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

  • Psalms 71:20

    You, who have shown us many and bitter troubles, You will let me live. You will bring us up again from the depths of the earth.

  • Philippians 3:13-14

    [13] Brothers, I don't regard myself as yet having taken hold, but one thing I do. Forgetting the things which are behind, and stretching forward to the things which are before, [14] I press on toward the goal for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

  • Romans 8:1

    There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who don't walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.

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