WALKING FREE.(4)

*WISDOM FOR TODAY.*

*WALKING FREE. (4)*

*Scripture Treasure.*

Ephesians 5:16 *Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.*

*Insight and Highlight.*

Past sins may hunt but they remain an opportunity to learn. They must not be seen as hunting shadows and sources of perpetual guilt. 

*Scripture Commentaries.*

Today as we continue on Paul's ability to let go his past, his esteemed accomplishments and leaving them behind to move forward, we will look at how he overcame and we can overcome internal wrestling with our pasts just as he did.

First is that Paul's conversion teaches us that there is no sin or sinner so bad that God can not forgive.

If we stand to know that Paul, who was Saul, was forgiven, renewed and became a powerful vessel in God's hands, our past sins will never subdue us.

For a man who thought he was doing God favour by persecuting the Church, because he, in his view of righteousness, was "blameless"* yet forgiven then we must accept God forgives our ignorance, ref Acts 17:30

He wrote in Philippians 3:6 that *"...as to righteousness which is in the law, blameless.*

He sought no man's view whether or not he should accept Jesus.

He decided not to confer with flesh and blood to answer God's call, Gal 1:16.

He knew he was *".... the least of the apostles, chief of sinner, who does not even deserve to be called an apostle..."*, 1 Cor 15:9, 1 Tim 1:15.

Paul never forgot the depth of sin from which he was saved. This kept him humble and fueled his mission.

He never forgot the depth of his sins nor did the people around him. Some never thought he would be used by God, Gal 1:23

Paul remained a living example that teaches us that if he as the worst of sinners could be saved, anyone could.

He was infamous for his atrocious behaviour that Ananias told Jesus that people knew the evil that Paul had done as Saul. Ananias said in Acts 9:13 *"......Lord, I have heard by many of this man, how much evil he hath done to thy saints at Jerusalem:*

Second is that we must overcome the shame past sins may have caused us.

Though Paul did not feel self-condemmation, he however admitted he did havoc and violently opposed the Church, Gal 1:13 and 1 Cor 15:9.

Though he did not mention how shameful or regretful he was but his language and expression point to how he wished he could have been a better person rather than a persecutor.

In the same 1 Cor 15:9, he wrote that he was *".....unworthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God"*

Self-condemnation, regret, shame etc are common with us.

Even after confessing and being forgiven for our past sins, our minds continue to dialogue on sinful past.

We must reject false guilt since we know we have sincerely repented. Paul declared a new identity far away from a former persecutor of Christ.

1 Cor 15:10 *But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.*

Your past will not allow you to have a new identity in Christ. It must be done away with, 2 Cor 5:17.

You can not belong to the past and hope to walk with God in the present.

Do you want to walk free with God?

*Remorse Corner.*

Accept God's grace. There is no sin forgiveness can not cover.

*Call to Word action.*

The blood of Jesus is too powerful for past sins forgiven to have torment over you!

*The Christian clarion duty.*

A hunting past is not of God. It must be resisted

*Prayer.*

Help me not to struggle with my past but powerfully overcome it by the blood of Jesus in Jesus name.

Good morning all, and have a blessed day.

God bless you.

Shalom.