Posted on 01/25/2015 7:17:59 PM PST by Idaho_Cowboy
Sound familiar? All clichés. They may sound nice, but clichés are often just like Band-Aids on cancer useless.
... What do you do about your past? Lets check out lessons from the Apostle Paul in Acts 9:21-31.
To say that Paul had a bad past is a gross understatement. As Saul, Paul lived the worst kind of sinful life you could imaginepersecuting, killing and binding up the saints of God. In fact, at this point in Acts, Paul had just participated in the stoning of Stephen, the first martyr of the Christian church.
What did Paul do about his past? What can you do about your past?
You and your past are forgiven.
Paul handled his past by knowing in his heart that he had been forgiven (Acts 9:17).
In 1 Timothy 1:15-16, Paul, as an old man, writes, This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief. However, for this reason I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might show all longsuffering, as a pattern to those who are going to believe on Him for everlasting life.
God has declared every believer forgiven. You may think, That may be fine for you, but you dont know my sins. I did things you just wouldnt believe. I blush at night when I think about them. You are not the exception. You are forgiven. God sent his Son, the only perfect One, to die on a cross for the imperfect ones. In his sacrifice, Jesus Christ shed his blood for usfor you and for me.
... Christ died for your sin. Christ died for your past. Anything less than recognition of this fact is to make a mockery of his blood.
(Excerpt) Read more at keylife.org ...
Isaiah 43:25 "I, even I, am he that blotteth out thy transgressions for mine own sake, and will not remember thy sins."
Jeremiah 29:11 "For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end."
I Love Steve Brown! :-)
Very well written and scriptural reference on every point, nothing to dispute about.
I have no other alternative but to except the one given by Paul, if he was wrong then I am lost.
But Jesus said a few things to the multitude about it also.
John 6
35 And Jesus said to them: I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall not hunger: and he that believeth in me shall never thirst.
36 But I said unto you, that you also have seen me, and you believe not.
37 All that the Father giveth to me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me, I will not cast out.
38 Because I came down from heaven, not to do my own will, but the will of him that sent me.
39 Now this is the will of the Father who sent me: that of all that he hath given me, I should lose nothing; but should raise it up again in the last day.
40 And this is the will of my Father that sent me: that every one who seeth the Son, and believeth in him, may have life everlasting, and I will raise him up in the last day.
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