ARE WE TO LIVE IN THE PAST, THE FUTURE, OR THE NOW?

September 18, 2025

Recently, I watched a comedian (Mike Goodman, The Bowtie Comedy) who, pleasantly, is not foul-mouthed, rude, or disrespectful. He delivers clean, friendly comedy.  He mentioned the importance of living in “the now” and how living in the past or future is, in many ways, harmful, and then proceeded to illustrate this point in a comedic fashion.

As a Christ-follower (I prefer to call myself a Christ-follower instead of a Christian for several reasons, which will be explored in another article), I related his comment to what the scriptures tell us.

 I believe scripture tells us to live in the “now.”

There is a multitude of scriptures that tell us how and why we are to live in the “now.” For example:

Matthew 6:34; The Bible emphasizes the importance of trusting God for everyday needs. “Therefore, do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Today has enough trouble of its own.” We are to focus on the present and then trust God with the future.

Living in the present means we are content and grateful for what we have.
Philippians 4:11-13 states, “I am not saying this out of need, for I have learned to be content regardless of my circumstances. I know how to live humbly, and I know how to abound. I am accustomed to any and every situation—to being filled and being hungry, to having plenty and having need. I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.”

Scripture reminds us of the uncertainty of the future and encourages us to make the most of the present. James 4:14 states, “You do not even know what will happen tomorrow! What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.”

When we live in the present (according to God’s wishes), it demonstrates that we are being obedient and faithful. In Ephesians 5:15-16, Paul writes, “Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.”

We are to live in the present so we can have a relationship with our Lord, give Him praise and glory for what He has done, serve others, be devoted to Him in prayer, grow in our faith, accept His help in resisting evil, and obtain the peace He gives that is beyond understanding, and most importantly, to love the Lord with all our heart and love our neighbors. (Mark 12:30-31) 

As for the past, we are to let it go: Isaiah 43:18-19 “Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.” 

Mark 11:25 “And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive them, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins.”

2 Corinthians 5:17 “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!” 

His plans for us are to trust Him and not live for the future:

Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.

Proverbs 16:3 Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established.

Revelation 21:4 “He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.”

Luke 12:32 “Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.”

1 Thessalonians 5:9 “For God has not destined us for wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ,”

I learned that fretting over my past sins (even though they have been washed away), what I should have done, and worrying or trying to plan my future on my own, is worthless, a waste of time. These feelings are against God’s principles and communicate that we don’t believe that He loves us as the new creation He has made us (and is sanctifying us into each day!). Even knowing all that, sometimes I still regret my sins and the pain and heartache I have caused others. This may be called guilt (but I consider it sadness); however, are Christians supposed to feel guilty? No! Because Hebrews 8:12 “For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more.” However, I think Christians can feel sadness for their past sins as long as it does not interfere with the teaching of scriptures concerning fear and guilt.  

AI states: “Yes, guilt can be a positive thing for Christians as it can lead to self-reflection and repentance, helping to restore one’s relationship with God and others. It serves as a reminder of our actions and encourages us to seek forgiveness and make amends.” And “At times, freedom from sin, however, does not always mean freedom from guilty feelings (which can be a form of sadness). Even when our sins are forgiven, we still remember them. On occasions when guilty feelings arise over sins already confessed and forsaken, reject such feelings as false guilt. The Lord has been true to His promise to forgive. Read and meditate on Psalm 103:8-12.” Not bad advice coming from a computer-generated thought process!

I used to feel guilt. Jesus removed that improper thought, and I learned what I feel is sadness, which is OK and proper. Jesus gave us examples of how to live and show emotions (which includes sadness), such as showing sorrow and grief, Isaiah 53:3b, and how to rejoice and weep with others, Romans 12:15.

We can remember our forgiven sins; however, we do it at our own peril.