Your Past Doesn’t Disqualify You

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Too often, Christians let their pasts hold them back from reaching out, teaching, correcting, or evangelizing. They feel they may not be worthy or have any right to speak up on a subject because in the past they either did it or did worse, or they have walked away from God at some point and came back, but don't want to admit that to people for fear they will be looked at as though they aren't "as Christian."

They feel almost hypocritical in a way.

But, they are so busy looking backwards that they forgot.

“Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord,” Acts 3:19

Nothing in your past will ever disqualify you from serving God.

Truly, who is better than the redeemed in God to teach, preach, and spread His message?

We are walking examples of the depth of God’s love and forgiveness.

Here’s my story.

I have inflicted horrible hurts with my mouth, I dabbled in drugs, stripped, dated women, had premarital sex, had a child out of wedlock, attempted suicide, was a cutter, dove head first into the occult at one time, completely walked away from God, I have lied, stolen, been cruel, been full of pride, an asshole and cocky as all get up.

Did God look at that and disqualify me when I repented?

Did He stop my teaching, preaching, writing, or evangelizing?

Nope, because God doesn’t call the qualified; He qualifies the called.

I repented, and my slate was cleaned.

I came out with a heart ready for God to renew it, granted it took a while and a lot of life lessons from my first encounter with God to who I am now. But He was with me every step of the way, and I am completely open about my mistakes when I talk to people.

We absolutely owe it to people to be real.

You’re not going to be able to Bible-thump or theologically debate everyone into following God. You are going to need to open up at some point and share your struggle, what you learned, and how God grew you.

You have some clout behind you; you do not need to have a Ph.D. to talk about stuff. You did it, lived it, and repented; this makes you uniquely qualified to talk about it.

But, how can you do that if you’re still holding onto shame or guilt?

Jesus came and died on that cross that day, for you to have your sin wiped out. Don’t sit there and tell yourself that you are unworthy because you are a sinner; it insults Him and the sacrifice He made for you.

Look at these people in the Bible.

Paul, Samson, Moses, Abraham, Ruth, Rahab, David, Jonah, Noah, Elijah, Zacchaeus, Mary Magdalene, the Samaritan Woman, Peter, Sarah, Thomas.

Every one of them screwed up, sinned, backtracked, and royally blew it, but God wanted them, God used them, God forgave them, and God loved them.

If He can forgive Peter, who outright denied Jesus, not once, not twice, but three times, and forgive Paul, who persecuted Christians, why are you holding yourself back from letting God wipe your slate clean and using you?

Accept His gift, a slate wiped clean.

I go out in the world and talk, I don’t carry the weight of past sins because it has been removed from my shoulders.

Don’t give satan a chance to whisper in your ear about that thing you did 5 years ago. Don’t have a conversation with him in your head, don’t give him any power that holds you back.

Remember — Your slate is clean!

We are the walking examples of the depth of God’s love and forgiveness.

© Jane Isley