We all have a mental museum! Old thoughts. Old memories. Archives from which to draw lessons for life. Yesterday we noted the encouragement we can receive from good memories. However, lessons can also be drawn from memories which may not be so good. They may be things we are not particularly proud of, yet we might share them to encourage others of how God has the power to help us move beyond the blunders and sins of the past.
Paul used himself as an example on several occasions. He was not proud of all the actions of his past, but He used his own past to exemplify the availability of the hope God offers to all who will humbly accept His Will as they turn their heart and life to Him.
Referring to his past, Paul stated. . .
“(6) as to zeal, a persecutor of the church; as to righteousness under the law, blameless.” (Philippians 3:6 ESV)
Paul had been very zealous in his pursuit and persecution of those who had accepted Jesus as the Messiah and Lord of their life. Though certainly not proud of it, he was honest regarding the fact he had possessed a zeal that was not according to knowledge. (note Romans 10:2) For those who might have thought — as some do today — that they were too sinful to ever be able to be forgiven by God, Paul again used his own life as an example.
We read. . .
“(15) The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost. (16) But I received mercy for this reason, that in me, as the foremost, Jesus Christ might display his perfect patience as an example to those who were to believe in him for eternal life.” (1 Timothy 1:15-16 ESV)
Paul was willing to acknowledge the things of his past for what they were. He used his past to prove how willing God is to forgive those who will acknowledge sin and repent of it. Through the power of God’s grace and mercy we do not have to be trapped by the past. Our own lives can be living examples of that. This will serve as a reminder of what we were and what God has made of us. The willingness to share even those memories can serve to encourage others that there is hope for them as well.
Have a great day MARKED BY WISDOM GAINED FROM PAST LESSONS!
Carl
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