Romas 6:17,18

But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you.  Being then made free from sin ye became servants of righteousness.  

We all have pasts that remind us how far we had come when we made Jesus our Lord.  No longer do we not have a way to escape the trap of sin.  Our eyes are open, so we know to avoid the pitfalls set before us.  We are a servant to righteousness, and our right standing helps propel us forward into the light of God.