Have ever been confronted like that?
Not in an inquisitive way but in a derogatory way. Like hey, you’re a Christian? You’re not perfect! And your track record… it’s pathetic.
Wait. Pause right there. First off, perfection is not something we’re capable of; it’s obtained for us… through Jesus.
Second, you are in good company. Let me explain.
Ever Notice…
There’s a cultural mindset that suggests that if you are a Christian, or want to become one, or even want to aspire to nobler ways, you cannot… particularly if your life history has any scars. And let’s face it, who doesn’t have scars? Who doesn’t have things they’d rather erase from their own historical data?
And then as a culture we have this obsession with dragging up all kinds of dirt from someone’s past and tossing it in their face or smearing it about and publicizing it. We need only think of the political sphere. It’s as if there are those who scour the internet just to drag up something, anything, that could damage one’s reputation, particularly if they don’t like them.
In my local community, I was running for town Council and people were digging up things I had liked or posted on X (Twitter at the time) years earlier. They also pulled up this blog site and claimed I should not be voted for. They didn’t like it and they were going to publicize it, hoping to drag me down by doing so.
Now to clarify, if one’s life is stained with things that need repenting of and one does not repent and seek forgiveness and some means of reconciliation, those blemishes and scars will linger. One has to take responsibility for one’s own actions and come to terms with others who have been impacted.
But we must learn as a culture that people can and do change over time. They can grow and mature, most particularly when God is involved. God alone is the One who sets the moral benchmark. God alone is the rightful One who can call us out when we’ve deviated from that, whether knowingly or unknowingly. We need to caution our calling out, “Look what he did!”, and think about exchanging it for, “Look who he’s becoming!”. People can and do change. Deeper still… people can be transformed.
And this is where the physical intersects with the spiritual.
As I said, you are in good company.
In Conversation with a Friend
Let me introduce you to someone from the first century who would have raised some eyebrows: the apostle Paul the apostle. At one time he violently opposed the very truth he later came to proclaim. Here’s what he wrote to his young trainee, Timothy, later in life:
“I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength, that he considered me faithful, appointing me to his service. Even though I was once a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent man, I was shown mercy because I acted in ignorance and unbelief.
The grace of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners–of whom I am the worst.
But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe on him and receive eternal life.
Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen.”
From 1 Timothy 1:12-17 in the Bible.
Essentially Paul was pointing out that if God could transform and save him, a blasphemer, a persecutor (also murderer), and a violent man — the worst of the worst, He can save anyone.
And actually for quite some time many would question Paul’s new identity. “All those who heard him were astonished and asked ‘Isn’t he the man who raised havoc in Jerusalem among those who call on this name (Jesus)? And hasn’t he come here to take them as prisoners to the chief priests?'” Acts 9:21
But God used Paul’s testimony as an example to and for others to also come to believe in Christ.
Amazing.
In a way you, friend, remind me of that. I am not saying I know anything about your former life — you’ll have to sort that with God and the people around you. And maybe share more as we journey together.
But you have indicated that you know people who might be surprised you’re a Christian.
So I see God using you as a mighty proclaimer of the good news of Jesus. It’s not about how much you need to know, it’s about your testimony of God’s faithfulness in your life.
Read Acts 26 (the whole chapter) and observe how Paul’s testimony was even spoken before kings and governors.
We are here to proclaim Jesus in words, yes, but also with the testimony of our lives in transformation.
And you, I’m hearing, are on that journey.
And for You the Reader
Step into the freedom of releasing your past to Christ. Nothing of the past can hold you back from the transformative power of the love and grace of God available to you in Christ Jesus, and what He will do with that in your life moving forward. Sure you must own up to your past. Confess it and repent of it. And there may be consequences and boundaries moving forward. But as for having any record against you as far as God is concerned… it is wiped clean in Jesus because of His payment made at the cross of Calvary. Forgiven. Thrown into the depths of the sea.
As another apostle John writes, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”
And then Christ begins a new work in you. “Christ in you, the hope of glory.” Indeed people may look at you funny and ask, “You, a Christian? Seriously!”
And then you can respond, “Yes, even me!” Let me tell you about the mercy shown to me (the almost worst of sinners… Paul claiming first place) in Christ Jesus. Let me tell you about how He is changing me for His purposes to bear witness to who He is and what He is doing. And let me assure you, He can do a mighty work in you too.
Jesus can and will make a difference in your life! That will become your testimony too.
It takes faith. And can start today.
Isn’t this so much better than what Satan and our world have to offer?
“Satan knows your name but calls you by your sin. God knows your sin, but calls you by your name.” attributed to Ricardo Sanchez
The Artisan Post 