Dear Struggling One,

Once you put your trust in Jesus, you become a child of God, and your family is the Body of Christ. And you are going to live with those in the Body of Christ for eternity. In some ways, our relationship with fellow believers becomes even stronger than our natural non-Christian family ties.  

About your past…Paul tells us in 2 Corinthians 5:17,18: … if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation. This is powerful because when we are born again, ALL things are new. All is all and NEW means unused, fresh, in form and quality. Now you are of God and when you repented, those sins (missing the mark) are remembered by God no more. 

Now your identity is found in Christ and Christ alone. Paul says in Galatians 2:20: I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me. We can no longer find our identity in ourselves, situations, circumstances, or people. Our past is just that—our past! Before knowing Christ, we belonged to the kingdom of the devil, but NOW we belong in the Kingdom of God! 

At salvation our spirit man is new, but we still have the same worldly thinking. It is MOST important that we get into our manual for success (Bible) to renew our mind! We must seek Jesus and His promises and that is only done through the word of God.

Paul tells us how to do that: Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. (Romans 12:2) Spending time reading, meditating on, and memorizing the Word will rewire our minds from worldly to Godly! The Bible has the answers for everything and is the antidote for everything. The Holy Spirit will give you understanding! Find a good Spirit-filled church that preaches and teaches the Bible! Remember you are not who you used to be. So, keep seeking and reaching for Jesus. He has your past covered with His blood!