Galations 5 | Burning Ships and Not Looking Back

 Does Burn the Ships Mean Forget the Past?

(How do I not look back?)

     Galations 5:1

     For freedom CHRIST has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.

     So all who have faith in JESUS, that he died for our sins and rose again so that one day, either when we die or on the last day, we he will bring us to life in heaven with Him, are free. All that believe in JESUS are free. But how do we stand firm? And what is a yoke of slavery?

     Well, to answer the first question, let me say this: we cannot do any good thing, or even anything at all on our own. Standing firm requires faith and trust. According to biblekeeper.com, "Faith is the first step, where individuals choose to believe in GOD's promises and redemptive plan." "Trust is a deep belief and reliance on GOD's character, wisdom, and promises. It acts as a steadfast foundation, particularly when faced with trials that test one's faith to its core." Answerthebible.com says, "While faith and trust work together, they are distinct concepts. Faith relies on the truth of GOD's word and character, while trust responds through obedience and action." Faith can exist in a person who has still doubts, but true faith and trust cast away doubts. And, as I said before, we can't do anything on our own, but we can through JESUS CHRIST (Philippians 4:13). As for the second question, a yoke of slavery is a yoke of sin, or bondage to sin. Being captive to sin.

     Galations 5:1

     For freedom CHRIST has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.

     Galations 5:13-14

     For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: "You shall love your neighbor as yourself."

       Galations 5:16

     But I say, walk by the SPIRIT and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.

       Galations 5:22-26

     But the fruit of the SPIRIT is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control, against such things there is no law. And those who belong to CHRIST JESUS have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live by the SPIRIT, let us also keep in step with the SPIRIT. Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.

     Being free does not mean we cannot fall back into the same sinful habits. Have you ever heard the song by For King and Country called Burn the Ships? Here are the lyrics from that song I want to focus on: 

Step into a new day

We can rise up from the dust and walk away

We can dance upon the heartache, yeah

So light a match, leave the past, burn the ships

And don't you look back

     Through JESUS CHRIST we can burn the ships, turn our old life into ash, an let it disintegrate in the water. Now I find it's easy, once you turn away from the burnt remains of your old life, to find yourself "checking on" what was burned. And soon you find yourself back there again, rebuilding your old life. But if you are faithful and trust GOD and what he is doing with your life, you will walk forward, knowing what is behind you but choosing not to look back. Rebuke your old self, life, and desires of the flesh in JESUS' name.

     If anything I said about burning ships was hard to understand, watch this video by For King and Country.

     I pray this blog post would be a blessing and a help to anyone who reads it.