God Can Use Your Past To Shape Your Future

So we talked about letting go of shame. Now let's see how God can use it. I can think of so many things in my life that were bad at the time and a blessing later. I can also think of things that I was ashamed of that I was forgiven for. And because I do believe that Jesus suffered enough on that cross to die for my sins I accepted His forgiveness and moved forward. And now I can see how even those things have molded my life.

It is time to quit beating yourself up and let go of the shame. If you believe Jesus suffered enough on that cross to die for your sins then ask His forgiveness. As Oscar Wilde said, "Every saint has a past and every sinner has a future." You are not alone! Accept that gift that was freely given. The Apostle Paul, in his letter to the church in Rome, wrote, "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." Romans 8: 28,

And we know that God causes all things to work together for good FOR THOSE WHO LOVE GOD AND ARE CALLED ACCORDING TO HIS PURPOSE. Paul is saying, if you don’t love God, you can’t claim this promise. These things don't just happen to work out for good on their own. This is divine intervention. God works it out for His people according to His purpose.

I like Paul because he acknowledges his past while focusing on his future. He writes about the wonder of understanding the grace that he has received for his past sin. Paul persecuted the early believers and he imprisoned many followers of Christ. Many died because of his actions. This was a huge burden for Paul to carry. But he knew he was forgiven and was able to carry the message of forgiveness!

And we know that God causes all things to work together for good for those who love God and to those called according to His purpose. Paul says, in effect, if you don’t love God, you can’t claim this promise. I liH

When we are in a relationship with Christ, He will use everything in our life to move us closer to Him and to be more like him. Notice in Romans 8: 28, Paul doesn't say, "and we feel," or, "and we think," or "and we hope," but rather "and we know." No uncertainty! Even our sin God can turn into our advantage...when we truly repent.

Our lives are a testimony of the grace of God. The enemy wants us to focus on our shame but God wants us to focus on His grace. When we understand this in our hearts then even our past sins can be used for good!

Is the enemy haunting you with a past sin? If you have repented then you know you have been forgiven. Let go of the shame that the enemy is using to hold you in bondage. God wants you to know that He can use even your past sin for his glory! He wants your life to be a testimony of the grace of God!