From Guilt to Grace: Navigating the “Whys” of Our Past
Have you ever read a passage of scripture that you’ve read many times, only to have it stand out to you in a new way? Perhaps it leads you into a deeper exploration of thought and study.
I recently experienced something similar after reading the first chapter of Galatians.
Galatians 1:15-16 But when he who had set me apart before I was born and called me by his grace, was pleased to reveal his Son to me, in order that I might preach him (Jesus) among the Gentiles.
In the previous verses, 13-14, Paul recalls his persecution of the church before his conversion. This included imprisoning and even calling for the stoning of those found guilty of following Jesus, which is an act of murder!
This man had every reason to live in guilt and shame over his past before coming to Christ.
But in his next breath, he says that God set him apart before he was even born.
Paul also confidently states there was a specific point and time when God was pleased to reveal Jesus, to him.
I assume there are probably many of us who would ask, “Why did God wait until after Paul committed these heinous sins of persecuting and murdering Christians to reveal his Son to him?”
The truth is, we don’t wake up one day and decide to “find Jesus” or “find God” on our own.
Scripture undeniably states that it is God who reveals Jesus to us!
God is our pursuer!
John 6:44 No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him.
Funny side note… the Greek word translated “draw” is helkuo, which means “to drag”.
On a more serious note, this Greek definition gives a clear picture of the one-sidedness of this drawing.
1 John 4:19 We love because he first loved us.
The truth is that the all-knowing, all-seeing sovereign God set Paul apart before he was born and was pleased to reveal Jesus to him after he persecuted and killed Christians.
WHY?? Paul likely did not know the reason why.
How often do we find ourselves asking “why” in so many different situations in our lives?
I know this sounds easier said than done because many of our circumstances are very nuanced, but it really does boil down to trusting in the sovereignty and goodness of God.
If God knows all and sees all, but waits to reveal Jesus to us after a lifetime of sinful living, it is certainly not because He wants to keep us bound in guilt and shame over our past for the rest of our Christian life.
Romans 8:1 There is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.
1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
If you are IN CHRIST, you are clean before God. You are clothed in Jesus’ righteousness.
Romans 5:19 For as by the one man’s disobedience the many were made sinners, so by the one man’s obedience the many will be made righteous.
2 Corinthians 5:21 For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.
1 John 4:10 In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.
1 John 4:10 means that Jesus satisfied the wrath of God, which we are fully deserving of, on our behalf!
There is no need to hang your head in shame over your past.
Perhaps these truths are what helped Paul overcome the guilt and shame of his past! Maybe these truths gave him the confidence and boldness to preach the Gospel at the cost of imprisonment and ultimately his life.
We must hold tightly to these truths when feelings of guilt and shame from our past try to rear their ugly heads. Let’s write these truths on sticky notes and place them on our bathroom mirrors, in our cars, or on the fridge. This will help us combat these thoughts and live free from the burden of guilt and shame by remembering the truth of God’s Word.
If you are IN CHRIST, YOU ARE FORGIVEN! YOU ARE FREE!
