Thursday, July 19, 2018

       In speaking afterwards to a relative of a man whose service we attended recently, l was reminded of something which to appears to be a constant regarding many funerals. I am referring to the uncovering of the deceased’s shady past. Please keep this fact in mind: The majority of the funerals I conduct or attend are family or church related where much evidence is present that the deceased was a genuine, heaven bound, child of God. I suspect this is God's way of reminding us that even the best of people have a shady past.

       Those who are not too familiar with the Bible are often surprised that even the greatest bible heroes had something in their past which was often the opposite of the end product. Among them are Moses, David, Peter, and the apostle Paul. One can only speculate why God allowed these shameful accounts to make their way into the Bible. Could it be because it shows that the only One who is perfect is God Himself or because He gets more glory when He reaches down to the lowest of the low and makes something special out of them? If these are not the main reasons, they are certainly worthy of consideration.

       Though hurtful and embarrassing, most Christians will publicly own up to their less than stellar past. The apostle Paul wrote in his first letter to Timothy: “Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst.” (1 Tim. 1:15) The odd thing is that he spoke in the present tense. (I am) True believers will never attempt to convey themselves as being superior to others. They know that if there is anything good in them it is because of God’s grace and mercy. Though we are now cleansed and sanctified, may we never forget this truth. In closing, don’t forget the change Christ effected in your life and don’t let your shady past haunt or condemn you. What matters most is what you are today, not what you used to be.

God’s word for today: (1 Corinthians 6:11 NLT) “Some of you were once like that. But you were cleansed; you were made holy; you were made right with God by calling on the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.”