There are certain phrases that have morphed into one word with great meaning. For example, useta’could (pronounced you-sta-culd). This word has its origin in the phrase, “I used to be able.” That changed to, “used to could” and from there it is a short step from becoming one word. This word is used to talk about former abilities. If someone asks you about working out you could respond, “Boy, I useta’could, but my back isn’t what it once was.” The Bible speaks about several former conditions.
“If indeed you have heard Him and have been taught in Him, just as truth is in Jesus, that, in reference to your former manner of life, you lay aside the old self, which is being corrupted in accordance with the lusts of deceit, and that you be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and put on the new self, which in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth” (Eph. 4:21-24). This former manner of life spoken of here, Peter mentions that it is a state we occupy due to ignorance. “As obedient children, do not be conformed to the former lusts which were yours in your ignorance” (1 Pet. 1:14). Paul mentions that by learning Christ and laying aside the former things, one can leave the old man of sin in a former state. Once we are aware of a better way to live as we have been called by God, then we are choosing to live in that former state. Paul describes that state for us. “So this I say, and affirm together with the Lord, that you walk no longer just as the Gentiles also walk, in the futility of their mind, being darkened in their understanding, excluded from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the hardness of their heart; and they, having become callous, have given themselves over to sensuality for the practice of every kind of impurity with greediness” (Eph. 4:17-19).
If this “former manner of life” can indeed stay former until our death and if during our lives we strove to live in the holiness that God has prescribed for us, then there are some other things that will be former things. “And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, ‘Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away’” (Rev. 21:3-4). How blessed it would be to live in a place where those become former things. Things that we “useta’could” but no longer. If we can make sin a former thing in our lives, God has promised he will make the pain of this life a former thing. You are no longer ignorant and must choose to put things behind you. If you have allowed the former things back in, remember your former days of service to God and return.