The Guilt of Yesterday

How Can I Live with Yesterday

We have all made mistakes in life. However, some mistakes we make are larger than others are. Some mistakes have greater consequences. While some mistakes and blunders only affect us, others have an impact on others—family, friends, church and such like. When they are spiritual blunders—sin—they have an impact also upon our God. For many of us, while we understand that God forgives us of the sin itself, we cannot let go of the guilt—it is an unbearable burden. We may even ask the question, “How can I live with yesterday?”

Several people preserved in divine scripture actu­ally can understand how we feel and can help us. One of these is the apostle Paul. As a young man named Saul, Luke introduces us to him at the grisly stoning of Stephen (Acts 7:58). While not actively participat­ing in the murder, he “was consenting unto his death” (Acts 8:1), or in other words, he approved of the deadly deed of his Jewish brethren. Then, Luke records him making “havoc of the church, entering into every house and haling men and women…to prison” (Acts 8:3). He even “beat in every synagogue them that believe on” Jesus (Acts 22:19) and “compelled them to blas­pheme” (Acts 26:11). Nevertheless, his encounter with Jesus on the road to Damascus literally changed his life (Acts 9). He would look back upon his past with grief, referring to himself as the chief of sinners (cf. 1 Tim. 1:15). Thus, here was an individual who could certainly have opportunity to struggle with his past. How did he cope with his guilt of yesterday?

First, the apostle Paul believed in the grace of God (1 Cor. 15:3-10). While he recognized that the eternal plan of God for Jesus to resurrect from the dead for our sins was a manifestation of His grace, he applied that to himself when he referred to himself by stating,

For I am the last of the apostles, that am not meet to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. 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 labored more abundantly than they all: yet, not I, but the grace of God which was with me.

He was able to live with yesterday because he believed in the grace of God. When we have difficulty living with our past, we need to believe in the grace of God for our lives. His outpouring of grace upon us was also not in vain—God has a purpose for our lives, and we can express appreciation for this grace by laboring more fervently in the kingdom!

Second, the apostle Paul believed in the compassion of Christ (1 Tim. 1:12-16). Upon writing to his protégé Timothy, he referred to Christ Jesus who

…counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry; who was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious…howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might show forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting.

In other words, the apostle Paul believed on the mercy of Christ in his life. When we have difficulty in living with our yesterday, we need to believe on the compas­sion of Christ in that He showed us mercy, for which we can appreciate and express by living for Him ev­eryday as a testimony to others.

Third, the apostle Paul believed in the power of the Holy Spirit (Rom. 7:19-8:39). While he spent Romans 7 detailing the struggles of his own earlier life, he led that into Romans 8 and the power of the Holy Spirit in his life. When it seems as if we cannot cope with yesterday, we need to believe in the power of the Holy Spirit in our life.

Therefore, how can we live with yesterday? We learn from the apostle Paul—believe in the grace of God, the compassion and mercy of Jesus and the power of the Holy Spirit!

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Attack of Judgment

That Day Came Unexpectedly

On the morning of Sunday, December 7, 1941 (67 years ago), Japanese warplanes unleashed a stunning surprise attack on the United States naval base at Pearl Harbor. The attack, which came while many U.S. military personnel were still in their bunks or going about the usual routines of a casual Sunday morning, was so startling that not much of a defense was able to be raised against the onslaught.  As a result of the events of that day, it is estimated that 2,402 U.S. military personnel were killed and another 1,282 were wounded (not to mention non-military casualties).

attack

An Attack of Divine Judgment is Coming.

On the morning of September 11, 2001, terrorists pulled off a surprise attack against the United States that was so unexpected and shocking that many of us watched in disbelief as the events unfolded on our television screens.  The attack, which came while people were coming and going through the usual routines and paces of daily life, was so startling that virtually no defense could be raised against the onslaught.  It is estimated that nearly 3,000 innocent people perished that day.

These two tragic events were indeed horrible and shocking (to say the very least), however nothing we have ever experienced can compare to the “Day” in which Christ will return to judge the world (also known as “the Day of Judgment”).  It will be a great day for those who will be saved (cf. Matt. 25:34), but it will be sad and terrifying day for those who will be lost (v. 41).  Just as men were caught off guard on December 7, 1941 and September 11, 2001, so shall many be caught off guard on the last day (Matt. 24: 36-44).

Jesus revealed that no one (except God the Father) knows when that day will come (Mk. 13:32), nor do they know what hour (v. 35).  Therefore He said, “But take heed to yourselves, lest your hearts be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness, and cares of this life, and that Day come on you unexpectedly.   For it will come as a snare on all those who dwell on the face of the whole earth.  Watch therefore, and pray always that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that will come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man” (Lk. 21:34-36).  Friends, are you ready for that Day to come?

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Heart Transplant

Do You Need a Heart Transplant?

When I turned seven I decided I wanted to be a heart surgeon more than anything else in the world. I found an anatomical picture of a human heart in an old textbook, traced it on notebook paper, and put that drawing on my bedroom door as a constant reminder—I still have that sketch today. I’ll never forget spending literally hours in the cadaver lab studying, memorizing, and marveling at such a phenomenal creation. Over the years my career choices changed, but I still retain a deep passion for the human heart. While man has tried to create a substitute or an artificial heart—our efforts have truly paled in comparison to God’s original model.

heart

Do You Need a Heart Transplant?

The word heart appears in the Bible hundreds of times in both the Old and New Testaments. However, in the English language the word heart rarely means the cardiovascular pump within your chest cavity. Instead, it is almost always referring to the essence of man—your inner being. When someone says, “Follow your heart” they are not talking literally about following the organ that pumps blood.

While your anatomical heart is vital to your earthly existence, your inner heart reveals who you really are, and who you have chosen to follow— and gives a good indication of where you will spend eternity. The world is quick to toss around the word heart in phrases like: Trust your heart. Believe with all your heart. Follow your heart.

In other words, trust in yourself. But the Bible says “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked; Who can know it?” (Jeremiah 17:9). The Son of God said, “For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies” (Matthew 15:19). If this organ is so wicked, what is a Christian to do?

The answer should be obvious. A serious examination of your heart will reveal it is sick and needs to be transplanted. We read, “I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh,” (Ezekiel 36:26). God stands ready to give you a new heart if you are willing to give up the old one. This is a part of putting on the “new man” (Colossians 3) in an effort to cleanse the inner man.

Many people have bought into the humanistic teaching that man is not so bad, and thus, they bristle at the thought of needing to cleanse their heart. Rather than embracing a heart transplant and the desire for a new heart, they would rather allow their hearts to become calloused and hardened like the Pharaoh in Egypt (Exodus). The Apostle Paul warned, “But in accordance with your hardness and your impenitent heart you are treasuring up for yourself wrath in the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God,” (Romans 2:5).

Solomon delivered this fitting piece of wisdom regarding the heart: “Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it spring the issues of life,” (Proverbs 4:23). The inspired Psalmist declared, “Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me,” (Psalm 51:10). This should be the cry of every human on the planet, because only then can we truly, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths” (Proverbs 3:5-6).

What does your heart look like? What shape is it in? Our society has trained most people to look primarily upon external features. Many young people idolize reality stars that “look” good but are living ungodly lives. Christians should always remember, “But the Lord said to Samuel, ‘Do not look at his appearance or at his physical stature, because I have refused him. For the Lord does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart’” (1 Samuel 16:7).

When God looks into your heart does He see a servant who desperately wants to serve Him, or does He see someone who is wanting to be in control of his or her own life, giving God the leftovers of time and money? Does He see words and thoughts of kindness and compassion, or does He see harsh words and a mean spirit? The Bible says, “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God” (Matthew 5:8). If you haven’t had a heart transplant let me strongly encourage you to schedule your surgery immediately. Isn’t it time you got rid of that old diseased heart and received a new heart that is pure and ready to serve Him?

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Ebola and Christianity

Spiritual Lessons: Ebola and Christianity

The introduction of the deadly virus, Ebola, in our nation has captured the attention of most Americans. It has been the featured story on all newscasts. What American is there who has not heard of it, and how many of us have not had a sense of fear about its impact? It would help us if we could learn some spiritual lessons from all that has happened.

Think about how rapidly this disease has spread. When it first arrived in Dallas, it impacted the life of just one man, but in the days which followed, we learned more about the disease. That single person touched the lives of more than one hundred others even before he entered the hospital. Suppose each of them had become infected and had also spread the disease to one hundred others. Instead of there being one individual, that “second generation” of infected people would number 10,000. If each of those spread the sickness to 100 additional individuals, the third generation would number 1,000,000. It was this kind of geometric progression that created such a stir around this nation.

Apply these numbers to the spread of Christianity, and you can understand why the first-century church spread so rapidly. The church began on Pentecost with just a handful of disciples, but by the end of the century it is estimated that there were over 6,000,000 Christians. This growth continued into the next century. Unlike Ebola, it did not bring death, but it brought life to a dying world.

While Ebola reduplicates itself in just 21 days, teaching the gospel to others can sometimes take longer. The seed of the gospel lands in various kinds of soil, and the soil, not the seed, determines if it will germinate. However, that seed has always been “living and active” (Heb. 4:12). The redeemed have “. . .  been born again, not of corruptible seed, but incorruptible, through the word of God which lives and abides forever” (1 Pet. 1:23).

Our commission has never been to go into all the world and baptize every creature. It was not the task of the early church. He said, “Preach the gospel to every creature” (Mark 16:15). It is easy for Christians to become discouraged because they have not led another to the Lord. The issue is not whether they became Christians but whether we taught them! As much as we long to see those we teach being baptized into Christ, we must remember what is involved in the great commission we have received from the Lord. He said, “Go . . . teach.”

The spread of Ebola can teach us. If each of us would win one soul each year and teach them to do the same, what impact would that have? Do the math. In just 34 years every person on earth could be a Christian! He said, “Go…teach!”

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Instability

Instability

At the conclusion of his great discourse to his brethren in Corinth concerning the resurrec­tion of Jesus Christ Paul stated, “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord” (1 Cor. 15:58). To his brethren in Colossae, he encour­aged them to “…continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard, and which was preached to every creature which is under heaven; whereof I Paul am made a minister” (Col. 1:23). Thus, for the Christian to mature, he needs to develop stability. Of course, it is easier to say this than to do this.

instability

Paul warns about instability!

The book of Galatians provides a wonderful back­drop to the condition of instability. In every chapter of this book, Paul addresses their instability. Notice these examples with me.

In Galatians 1, he begins immediately after his introduction and salutation,

I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. As we said before, so say I now again, ‘If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.’ (1:6-9)

While the background of this deals with the gospel taught by Judaizing teachers, its application runs deep in the denominational world in which we live today.

In Galatians 2, he deals with the instability of Peter (2:11-21). How fascinating that while Peter was instrumental in leading a Gentile (Cornelius) and his family to Christ and even defending himself before his brethren in Acts 11, he now withdrew that fellowship he once extended and separated himself to the chastisement of the apostle Paul. Fellowship is an important and valuable spiritual commodity that we are not to treat lightly!

He immediately begins Galatians 3: “O foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you that ye should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ hath been evidently set forth, crucified among you?” (3:1). He asks again, “Are ye so foolish?” (3:3). Then, to set the matter straight once more, he discusses the relationship of the gospel of Jesus Christ (faith) and the Law of Moses with the promise of redemption that God made to Father Abraham.

In Galatians 4, he speaks plainly with them,

Where is then the blessedness ye spake of? For I bear you record, that, if it had been possible, ye would have plucked out your own eyes, and have given them to me. Am I therefore become your enemy, because I tell you the truth? They zeal­ously affect you, but not well; yea, they would exclude you, that ye might affect them. But it is good to be zealously af­fected always in a good thing, and not only when I am present with you. (4:15-18)

They were steadfast when Paul was with them, but instable when he was not with them. Maturity develops when we are steadfast at all times, regardless of the crowd—even if we are alone.

In Galatians 5, he commended them at the begin­ning: “Ye did run well; who did hinder you that ye should not obey the truth?” (5:7). While illustrating the Christian race, it is not a sprint, but a marathon. What matters in the end is not how we began, but how we finish (see 2 Tim. 4:7-8).

In Galatians 6, he encourages them never to quit by stating, “And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not” (6:9). Then, as he has touched upon throughout his epistle, he brings up the subject of the effect of Judaizing teachers at the conclusion of his letter:

As many as desire to make a fair shew in the flesh, they constrain you to be circumcised; only lest they should suffer persecution for the cross of Christ. For neither they themselves who are circum­cised keep the law; but desire to have you circumcised, that they may glory in your flesh. But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world. For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature. (6:12-15)

Therefore, throughout this powerful epistle, he points out their instability and encourages steadfast­ness. May we resolve to learn from their mistakes and mature spiritually toward stability through steadfast­ness.

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