Articles
Living in the Present
One of the most worthless uses of our time, energy, and efforts can be our failure to live in the present. We are to be “redeeming the time” as God’s stewards (Ephesians 5:16). Yet, too many are wasting time either living in the past or living so far in the future that they fail to make any real progress for the kingdom today. Consider some examples from Scripture which illustrate this growth-stunting mentality and resolve to live in the present.
Looking Back at the Glory Days. When we have lived in times of prosperity, there is a temptation to rest on our laurels and become so contented with past success that we do not strive for excellence in the present. This was the mistake of the church in Ephesus as Jesus addresses them in Revelation. John writes, “Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love. Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works, or else…” (Revelation 2:4-5, NKJV). Paul had done a great work in Ephesus (Acts 19:8-10). Timothy, Paul’s preaching pupil, had also spent time working with the Ephesus church (1 Timothy 1:3). Yet, by the time John writes the Apocalypse the church had become too satisfied with the former days and were not doing “the first works” that had contributed to their early success. Their current status was due to inheritance, not initiative. This stunts growth. In the Old Testament, before Israel entered the land, they were warned of this arrogant mentality. Moses warned them before their entry in the land “flowing with milk and honey” saying, “When you have eaten and are full, then you shall bless the Lord your God for the good land which He has given you. Beware that you do not forget the Lord your God…lest—when you have eaten and are full…when your heart is lifted up, and you forget the Lord your God who brought you out of the land of Egypt from the house of bondage…then you say in your heart, ‘My power and the might of my hand have gained me this wealth’” (Deuteronomy 8:10-17). Past success often breeds contemptuous arrogance that fails to give glory to God. This mindset leads to a passivity that stalls progress in the present. Nations can only ride the wave of success of past generations for so long before our failure to excel in the present destroys us. Churches can only glory in the success of previous generations for so long before we are tried and found wanting. Individuals can only live in the glory days for so long before they must get snapped back to the reality of the present. Soldiers of God should be marching, not retreating. The author of Ecclesiastes writes, “Do not say, ‘Why were the former days better than these?’ for you do not inquire wisely concerning this” (Ecclesiastes 7:10). Jesus would say, “No one, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God” (Luke 9:62).
Reliving Old Grudges. Just as we can fail to live up to our potential by glorying in the past, we can also waste valuable time by dwelling upon past grudges and hurts. The prodigal’s brother failed to rejoice in the prodigal’s current situation because he was too busy trying to relive the previous days of the prodigal’s bad choices (Luke 15:25-31). The father rebuked him for failing to live in the present (Luke 15:32). Those who dwell upon and complain about the past are guilty of what the Bible calls “bitterness.” They are not using their words to edify, but to instigate. Paul would write, “Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you with all malice. And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you” (Ephesians 4:29-32, NKJV). Bitter words tend to tear down rather than build up (4:29). Bitter words “grieve the Holy Spirit of God” (4:30). Bitter words are to “put away from you” (4:31). Bitter words can only be removed when we choose to “forgive one another” as God has had to forgive us of our past sins (4:32). Bitterly reliving the negative past makes us guilty of failing to live in the present and we “fall short of the grace of God” by dwelling upon the “root of bitterness” (Hebrews 12:15).
Anxiously Worrying About the Future. Jesus spends time in the Sermon on the Mount dealing with the sin of anxious worry (see Matthew 6:25-34; Luke 12:23-32). At the core of a worried heart is a failure to trust in God’s providence for the future. Thus, worry causes us to miss out on life’s bigger picture. Jesus says “life is more than food, and the body is more than clothing” (Luke 12:23)! Secondly, worry causes us to doubt God’s love (Luke 12:24-28, 32). Thirdly, it doesn’t accomplish anything. Jesus says “And which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature?” (12:25). Finally, worry indicates we are not trusting in God’s promises and in God’s providence (Luke 12:31-32). So, Jesus would warn, “Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble” (Matthew 6:34). In other words, we have enough to focus on living in the present that we need not fruitlessly burden ourselves by worrying about the future.
Are you making a conscious choice to live in the present?
