Christian Living

A SPIRITUAL VIRUS

by paul hoffmaster
11/01/20
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One of the most active influences on the Believers mind is what I call the “Rear View Syndrome.”  It has over the years developed into a pandemic crisis.  This virus has caused many Believers to limit their outreach.  They have quarantined themselves by being more conscious of their past failures and shortcomings than God’s Grace and forgiveness.  Some of the symptoms of RVS are, reactivation of past sins, exaggeration of failures, self-condemnation, unworthiness, and a low spiritual temperature, to name just a few.   This virus originated from Satan and has spread worldwide.  Christians have gone to mask-wearing to hide their condition.  They will be the last to admit that they have the virus.  Outwardly they talk the Word but fail to exhibit the Word.  When not around other Believers, RVS raises its ugly head.  The more the virus continues to flourish, the more the Christian community shuts down.   

People would never drive their cars by looking in their rear-view mirror, for they know that would impede their forward progress.   When will Believers understand that it is not the negative things in our lives that matter, rather it is the positive things that one can experience through a Spirit-led life!  The mistake so many Christians make is replaying their past “forgiven” sins!  If God forgives why should we remember what God chooses not to remember? (Isaiah 43:25, Hebrews 10:14-18, Jeremiah 31:34b)

The Christian is not perfect, but we have a perfect Savior.  When we sinned and asked for forgiveness, Jesus represented us to God by way of His shed blood, and as a result, we attained complete unqualified forgiveness. (Hebrews 7:25)  Satan continually brings up our confessed sins and even the acts that we failed to acknowledge before God.  RVS blinds us to the opportunities to grow spiritually.  Hindsight impedes our vision to see Divine direction.  Satan wants us to have 20/20 vision of our past sins, but blind to God’s forgiveness. 

When Jesus ascended into the Heavenlies, His human nature was left behind and His Divine nature reestablished His oneness with God.  I do not believe that Jesus looked back at His actions on earth, but rather embraced the “here and now” of eternity.  May every Believer grasp his position in Christ.  It is not who we were, but who we are!  It is not resurrecting memories of past sins, but anticipating what God is and will be doing in our lives!  Let us remove the “Rear View Mirror,” and do as the Apostle Paul did, “forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before.” (Philippians 3:13)  “Let us run with patience the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith.” (Hebrews 12:2, 3)