Serving the High Plains

Lauriault: Remember to prevent the past

Religon Columnist

When I awoke on Sept.11, 2015, I recalled what happened 14 years ago. Throughout the day, I had several reminders of that horrible day, the most impressive of which occurred when I looked at my digital watch and the time was 9:11.

Usually when I look at my watch, I also notice the seconds because that’s the “moving part.” This time, though, I was too shocked to notice the seconds; but I’ve wondered since then if it might have been 9:11:01 (the past) or 9:11:15 (the present).

As I thought more about that, I wondered about how it’s appropriate for us to remember the past and live in the present to assure a more safe future, especially for our country. As the old saying goes, “Those who fail to learn from history are doomed to repeat it.”

The Bible mentions a couple of historical things Christians must remember to assure their future. First and foremost is that Jesus was crucified for our sins and overcame death so that, by uniting with him in his death and burial, we also will be united with him in his resurrection unto eternal life in God’s presence (1 Corinthians 15:1-8; 1 John 2:2; Romans 6:3-8).

The church remembers Jesus’s death as we partake of the Lord’s Supper (Acts 2:42). This celebration, instituted by Jesus, is to continue until he comes again (1 Corinthians 11:23-26). The purposes of remembering the past, once for all time death of Jesus include an encouragement for us to continue our right relationship with God in the present with the assurance of our future because Jesus is coming again to finalize our salvation (Hebrews 9:27-28).

While there’s no specific command about the time or frequency of observing the Lord’s Supper, there is an example where Paul and his traveling companions waited six days (and left on the seventh day) so they could meet with the church when it came together to share in the Lord’s Supper on the first day of the week (Acts 20:6-7). First Corinthians 16:1-2 gives another reason for assembling on the first day of the week and Hebrews 10:23-31 warns those who disrespect Jesus’ blood by failing to attend the celebration without good reason.

The Bible also indicates that we shouldn’t forget that we’ve been forgiven of our past sins, which is connected to remembering the blood of the covenant that cleanses us of our sins (2 Peter 1:3-11; 1 John 1:5-9). This problem leads to lack of growth as a Christian and the risk of losing one’s future assurance. Never forgetting we’ve been forgiven is akin to always remembering our life before we became Christians and that we are still sinners in need of continued forgiveness (1 Corinthians 6:9-11; Romans 7:15-25; 1 Timothy 1:15-17).

Failure on our part to remember the histories of our sin and of what brought about forgiveness can cause us to give up our secure future and repeat the history of our lostness resulting in eternal separation from God.

Keep that in mind.

Leonard Lauriault is a member of the Church of Christ in Logan. Contact him at [email protected]