The past is gone. The present is now. The future is ahead. “Yesterday is a canceled check; tomorrow is a promissory note, today is the only cash you have — so spend it wisely.” (Kay Lyons Stockham).
What can be learned from these three tenses? A lot. “The past is history, tomorrow is a mystery. But today is a gift—that’s why they call it the present.” (Mike Ditka).
The past is exactly what it says. The past is history. It has already occurred, and can’t be brought back. We may learn something from the past, but attempting to “re-live” it is pointless as a futile endeavor, and waste of time and thought. We cannot live a productive life if we cannot “let go” of the past.
In looking at himself, the Apostle Paul says this: “One thing I do; forgetting what lies behind . . .” (Philippians 3:13). Apparently Paul’s resolve was not to dwell on his past experiences, but instead on a single purpose. He decided to forget what was behind him, and then “straining forward to what lies ahead.” And he expresses his intent, “I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 3:13,14). Straining forward or “reaching forward to those things which are ahead.” (NKJV).
There was a day and time when Christians trusted Jesus Christ as Savior. That day is most significant and memorable as it reminds us of the greatest decision we would ever make in our lives. Because of that decision, God says, “For I will be merciful toward their iniquities, and I will remember their sins no more.” (Hebrews 8:12). What does God mean by saying “I will remember their sins no more?”
It must be clearly understood that God cannot forget anything. Therefore, when God says I will remember their sins no more, it is not implying that God literally forgets the sins of a repentant person. Rather, it means God counts the believer’s sins as “forgotten,” because of His forgiveness. And that’s where the Christian’s “justification” applies. Justification is God’s sovereign act of removing the guilt and penalty of sin and declaring the one who is saved as righteous. Hence, He is able to declare, “I will remember their sins no more.”
For Jesus cast my record of sinfulness
Into the sea of forgetfulness
Never to be remembered anymore.
Theologian and minister C. I. Scofield, D.D. gives us a very insightful application of the three tenses as they pertain to the Christian’s salvation. And its worth taking note.
Scofield writes, “The Hebrew and Greek words for “salvation” imply the ideas of deliverance, safety, preservation, healing, and soundness: “Salvation” is the great inclusive word of the Gospel, gathering into itself all the redemptive acts and processes: as justification, redemption, grace, propitiation, imputation, forgiveness, sanctification, and glorification. Salvation is in three tenses: (1) The Christian has been saved from the guilt and penalty of sin (Lk. 7:50; 1 Cor. 1:18) and is safe. (2) The Christian is being saved from the habit and dominion of sin (Rom. 6:14; 8:2; 2 Cor. 3:18). (3) The Christian will be saved at the Lord’s return, from all the bodily infirmities that are the result of sin and God’s curse upon the sinful world (Rom. 8:18-23; 1 Cor.15:42-44).”
It is abundantly clear that the only time we can be certain of is the present time, which is referred to as NOW. No wonder the Bible says, “Behold, now is the favorable time; behold now is the day of salvation.” (2 Corinthians 6:2).
The Apostle Paul is preaching to those who are unsaved that the time to trust Jesus Christ is the present time; now is the day of salvation. Not tomorrow or some time in the future. It is very unwise to put off the most all-important decision a person will ever make to shut in with God’s offer of salvation. Some opportunities only come once in a lifetime.
“It never makes sense to put off a decision to accept God’s offer of salvation. How many have waited too long? Why would anyone want to delay the joy that comes through a vital relationship with the Lord? When He calls, He wants immediate obedience. Today is the day to respond.” (The Charles F Stanley Life Principles Bible NKJV, p. 1389).
Since yesterday is gone, and tomorrow is a mystery, God has given us today as the right time to receive His Son, Jesus Christ as our personal savior. The fact is that God’s Dispensation of Grace is definitely drawing to a close. Hence, we must be alert to the urgency of the present time. Romans 13:11 says, “Besides this you know the time, that the hour has come for you to wake from sleep. For salvation is nearer to us now than when we first believed. The night is far gone; the day is at hand.” (Romans 13:11,12).
The darkness of night is passed and gone. And now the morning brings the light of the good news of salvation giving mankind the opportunity to respond. Every day brings us nearer to the return of Jesus Christ for those who know Him and love His appearing. Are you one of them? You can become such a person right now. Remember, now is the day of salvation.
Here’s what you do: “If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved.” (Romans 10:9,10). May the Lord help you to do this for His name’s sake. Amen.