Overcome the Past

“I persecuted this Way to the death, binding and putting both men and women into prisons.”

Acts 22:4

This is what the Apostle Paul said about himself.  He was the enemy of the church, of God and mankind but when He met Jesus on the road, this changed.  God revealed Himself to him and His purpose for his life.  Paul was a changed man.

Yet, did this radical transformation change people’s perception of Paul?  No, initially people were still afraid of him and did not trust him.  It was through hard work and consistently living to serve Jesus that Paul was able to win the confidence of Christians and become one of the greatest evangelists on earth.  Paul gained a status equal to that of the Twelve Disciples chosen by Jesus.

So, why then are we surprised that it takes a lot of hard work to overcome people’s perceptions of us if we made terrible mistakes in our past?  We are redeemed by Jesus but we must change our actions, thoughts and lives to reflect that transformation.  If we were thieves before we became Christians and we continue to steal, then it will difficult for others to accept us as changed people.  

So, what then can I say?  When we become new people in Christ, we leave behind the old things which we know are things that we should not be doing. If we need help with this, then we need to seek help.

It may not be easy, but we have God’s promise, “Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.   (Isaiah 41:10)”

Our God is the God of the do over.  There is nothing you have done that you cannot overcome with God’s help.