Pastor Wayne Cordeiro
August 21, 2005 - W0534

Often we remember what we should forget and forget what we should remember. In 1944 ElieWiesel, a well-known writer was among the many Jewish citizens living in Siget, Hungary deported to concentration camps. He survived the holocaust and returned to his home town twenty years later. He writes about what pained him the most: “I was not angry that the people of this town had driven us out of the city. In fact, if I was angry at all, it was for having forgotten those who were among them. For the Jews have now been driven not only out of their town, but out of their time, and their remembrance for all of history”.

Another author, Andre Malraux writes: “One day it will be realized that men will be distinguishable from one another as much from what form their memories take as by their character.” In essence, our experiences good or bad define how we remember and categorize those events in our minds. Whether we feel remorse, guilt, resentment, compassion, understanding or forgiveness, it will be determined on our remembrance of our experiences. Our memories are etched inside of us and how we remember those events becomes a part of who we are. For example, the word resentment comes from a Latin word meaning to cut again. Thus, when we harbor resentment we experience the same cutting pain again and again whenever that particular memory surfaces.

Today some of us may be suffering from memories of an occurrence that left us wounded. What can we do? Is there any help? Well the Bible explains, not only does God teach us all things, He gives us a helper -- the Holy Spirit whose primary assignment is to help us remember well. “But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said to you.” (Jn. 14:26)

1.     THE HOLY SPIRIT’S MINISTRY IS TO HELP US TO REMEMBER WELL.

“I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may be with you forever, that is the Spirit of truth…” (Jn. 14:16-17a) In other words, the Holy Spirit’s responsibility is to bring events that happen in our lives back to remembrance in such a way that will be beneficial and not detrimental to us. Our memories need to run through the Holy Spirit much like a water filtering system in which He guides these recollections to help influence our lives correctly. Therefore, if a memory is the final product, and remembering is the process that affects who we become, then it will be vitally important for us to invite the Holy Spirit to help us remember for He is the Spirit of truth.

I had a very close friend on the Big Island. We had a wonderful friendship for four or five years. Then some things happened which was really nobody’s fault, but suddenly he wouldn’t speak to me, left the church, spoke against the church, and let everyone know how terrible I was. I wondered what happened. How could such a good friend turn into an enemy? And each time I’d remember the situation, I’d lose confidence and sleep. I’d be distracted, discouraged, and diluted in ministry. I just couldn’t shake it. But one day as I was talking to the Lord about this, God spoke to me about the form that memory had taken because it was destroying me. The Lord asked, “Was it a good friendship?” I said, yes for four or five years. And the Lord said, “Then always remember that season as having a wonderful friendship and experience”.  

We must remember events in a way that doesn’t hurt us. We can do that by allowing the Holy Spirit to filter and guide those memories. I could have become wary about friendships or relationships and never open my heart to anybody else if I remembered my experience poorly. So the Holy Spirit helps to clarify and purify our experiences so that we can…

2.     RUTHLESSLY OBEY AND PUT INTO PRACTICE DAILY HIS INSTRUCTIONS.

“…casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ…” (2 Cor. 10:5 NKJ)

There will be times when our thoughts will war against what God’s best is for us. It will be like drinking unfiltered, dirty water. Yet as awful as it is, many of us choose to drink what is unhealthy and filthy which leaves a bitter and bad taste in our lives. Of course are instincts will be to argue with God and justify our feelings. Nevertheless, our thoughts must come under the submission of what God says is true and healthy for us. And if it does not, the Bible says we must bring it ruthlessly into captivity. Be careful of any memory that wounds you or pulls you out of God’s best for your life. God is greater than our past and the way we tend to define it. He promises to work all things for good to those that love Him and are called according to His purpose. God’s will is greater.

What the devil meant for evil, I will turn and use it for good. (Gen. 50:20) In other words, by doing it God’s way, He can take the worst events in our lives, purify and archive those memories correctly and in turn…

• STEWARD YOUR MIND WELL.

How do we do that? Well the Bible says: “Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, let your mind dwell on these things. The things you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things; and the God of peace shall be with you.” (Phil. 4:8-9) So dwell on all these things and allow everything of our experience that the Holy Spirit brings to be purified. Sure there are things in life that happens that are not always good, that’s why it is essential we…

3.     ABOVE ALL, REMEMBER THE LESSON OF THE CROSS.

Jesus was falsely accused and put on trial. The supposed religious leaders devalued, disrespected, misinterpreted, and falsely accused Him. Yet even when a non-Christian found him guiltless and seen through that injustice, the religious people were relentless in beating and eventually putting to death a righteous man. “...‘Hail, King of the Jews!’ and to give Him blows in the face. Pilate came out again, and said to them, ‘Behold, I am bringing Him out to you, that you may know that I find no guilt in Him.’…When therefore the chief priests and the officers saw Him, they cried out, saying, ‘Crucify, crucify!’ Pilate said to them, ‘Take Him yourselves and crucify Him, for I find no guilt in Him.’” (Jn. 19:3-4, 6)

They condemned Jesus to death on the cross, one of the most excruciating deaths a person could suffer. Yet the result of this massive injustice and betrayal of a righteous man brought redemption to millions of unrighteous people. How? You see God’s plan cannot be thwarted by people’s betrayals, unjust actions, by the sins of people against us, or even by our own sins. His plan is greater. Think about this, what if Jesus resented those events that led Him to the cross? Would redemption have come to man? Certainly not! He would have called a legion of angels to destroy the world and rightly so. But instead, He allowed the Holy Spirit to bring that event to remembrance and in turn Jesus submitted His will to the Father.  

“…‘This is My body, which is [broken] for you; do this in remembrance of Me.’ In the same way He took the cup also after supper, saying, ‘This cup is the new covenant in My blood; do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.’” (1 Cor. 11:24-25)

Many of us have never been taught to remember well. So the Holy Spirit’s assignment is to help us do just that by purifying, clarifying, and filtering events through His truth. It’s not that we must deny what happens in our lives, but rather allow the Holy Spirit to purify it. How? Through the blood of Jesus Christ! Bring whatever has happened in your life to the cross and the blood of Jesus washes over it and purifies it. The Holy Spirit was given the opportunity to interpret the injustice of the cross and redemption to mankind in light of God’s plan was the result. The same is true for us. There are a lot of injustices that have and will continue to happen. Allow the Holy Spirit the role of interpreting those events and receive wholeness and blessing for your futures.

If God can take the injustice of what happened at the cross and turn it around to save the world, think of what He can do in your lives as well. Always remember the lesson of the cross. God assigned the Holy Spirit to filter our memories in ways that will benefit and not hinder us. So obey and practice His instructions daily without wavering bringing every thought under the obedience of Christ dwelling on and practicing what you learned. Then the God of peace shall be with you. 

Discussion Questions:

1. How do you remember past events?
2. Can you recall a time when you allowed your thoughts to dwell on past events that distracted you from God’s best?
3. How has the events in your life formed the memory you have of such? Is it hurting or helping you?
4. Remember the lesson of the cross. If Jesus chose not to submit His will to the Father’s, redemption for mankind would not have happened. What past injustices, betrayals, or problems do you find yourself struggling with? Bring it to the cross and allow the blood of Christ to wash over it and bring blessing and wholeness to your life.
5. How will you apply the lessons you learned today in your life this week?