The 150th Open Championship is set to begin tomorrow. Beginning in 1860, The Open is the oldest tournament in the world. And if that isn’t enough to build excitement, the tournament is being held at what many consider to be the home of golf – The Old Course at St. Andrews in Scotland.

Rory McIlroy, Xander Schauffele, and Jordan Spieth (in that order) are the current favorites to win this year’s competition. Down the list is the current champion and holder of the Claret Jug, Collin Morikawa, who has the 12th highest odds to win this week.

Champions of The Open enjoy holding onto the Claret Jug for a year until the next playing of The Open when it must be returned. They are then given a replica to hold onto permanently.

When asked by reporters how he felt having to return the Claret Jug, Morikawa made this comment: “It [stunk]. It really did. I woke up this morning and looked at it. The replica is beautiful, but it’s not the same. It really isn’t. It will never be.

“But I don’t want to dwell on the past. I think I’ve talked about that early on in my career. I always look forward to what’s next. Maybe hopefully just giving it back kind of frees me up and allows me just to focus on winning this week.”

Morikawa’s words about not dwelling on the past give us an important reminder of how dwelling on the past relates to our lives as followers of Jesus.

Dwelling on the past with regard to God’s faithfulness is important for our growth. But remaining in our thoughts about past sins is not helpful when the result is unnecessary introspection, guilt, and shame about our sins.

My pastor often quotes a 19th-century Scottish pastor named Robert Murray McCheyne who is famous for writing, “For every look at yourself, take ten looks at Christ” (Memoir and Remains of the Rev. Robert Murray McCheyne [Edinburgh, 1894, 293]).

This is not to say that we should turn a blind eye to our sin, but rather gaze on the beauty and glory of Jesus far more often. Looking at Jesus and delighting in Him is necessary for putting off sin and pursuing sanctification.

2 Corinthians 3:18 (ESV) tells us, “And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.”

The following commentary from Dr. Thomas Constable is very helpful: “All Christians…experience transformation daily as they contemplate the glory of God revealed in His Word—and especially in the living Word, Jesus Christ” (Thomas Constable, Notes on 2 Corinthians).

So as we continue to live our lives as followers of Jesus, let’s be sure to fix our eyes on Jesus far more often than on our sin. Yes, we look at our sin and repent, but we should follow that up with many looks at Christ’s love, glory, and grace…continually transforming to become more like Him.

I’m Luke Heaton and you can UNPACK that!

Prayer: Father, help me look at Your glory and beauty far more than I look at my sin. Looking at my sin is important in order to repent, but help me to follow that up with many looks at Your love, grace, and glory as I pursue sanctification and greater fellowship with You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

1. Are there certain sins you are currently condemning yourself for rather than accepting God’s forgiveness and grace for?

2. How can you look to Jesus more this week rather than your own weakness?