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North Bend Church of Christ » The Church of Christ » Bulletin Articles

The Past by Norm Russell

Cheryl Owens
#1

Posted on 09/03/2011 06:30

Member

Posts: 269
Joined: 08/08/2011 06:05

His disappointment in himself registered in his mind as he lay awake thinking about all of his yesterdays. He felt hypocritical, unworthy and sinful. This is not the first time he felt that way, but it is the first time it was so clear to him. He said in a quiet prayer in the silence of his bedroom and as his new day began he communicated his feelings to God in a more open vocal way. He asked God to forgive him, but he felt that the Father had every reason to withhold His grace.

Have you ever felt that way? You quietly review your past and you remember all to well your sinful ways? You were not a bad person, and you did do some good. It is just easier to remember your wrongs than your rights. Sometimes, in reading the Old Testament and looking at the lives of God's people, it seems that in many ways they do more wrongs then they do right. When they do something that is in complete violation of God's word, they really blow it big time. Take for example Abraham being so dishonest about Sarah, his wife. He told the truth part way, in that she was his half sister. But she was also his wife. Then there is the hot tempered Moses. He became angry with the people and took credit for providing water from the rock. It cost him entry into the promised land. And then there is David, Jonah, Solomon and many others. Upon reading Hebrews 11, those names all appear in the author's list of people of faith.

God's grace, is undeserved. His forgiveness is freely given. The parable of the Prodigal Son illustrates for us just how generous God is when it comes to forgiveness and restoration. Remember, the father represents God and when the son returned there was no conditions laid down by his father before he could be forgiven. It was freely given. God wants to forgive you and me and thus when we seek His restoration we can be assured that "All Is Forgiven."

That does not mean that there is no more remembrance of the past for us. We do not have the capability to forget our past. Maybe that is a good thing. Do you think the prodigal son ever forgot how foolish he was? Remembering what we have been forgiven of acts as a reminder of how much God has done on our behalf. It is an incentive to live better for Him and to be even more grateful for what He has done in our life. May I suggest to you that the next time your memory becomes active and brings to the surface all of your past, thank God He has forgiven you of your sin, your hypocrisy, your distant travels and though we may still feel unworthy, thank Him again for His grace. Then let us commit ourselves to living for Him.

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The Past by Norm Russell
Cheryl Owens	#1 Posted on 09/03/2011 06:30
Member Posts: 269 Joined: 08/08/2011 06:05	His disappointment in himself registered in his mind as he lay awake thinking about all of his yesterdays. He felt hypocritical, unworthy and sinful. This is not the first time he felt that way, but it is the first time it was so clear to him. He said in a quiet prayer in the silence of his bedroom and as his new day began he communicated his feelings to God in a more open vocal way. He asked God to forgive him, but he felt that the Father had every reason to withhold His grace. Have you ever felt that way? You quietly review your past and you remember all to well your sinful ways? You were not a bad person, and you did do some good. It is just easier to remember your wrongs than your rights. Sometimes, in reading the Old Testament and looking at the lives of God's people, it seems that in many ways they do more wrongs then they do right. When they do something that is in complete violation of God's word, they really blow it big time. Take for example Abraham being so dishonest about Sarah, his wife. He told the truth part way, in that she was his half sister. But she was also his wife. Then there is the hot tempered Moses. He became angry with the people and took credit for providing water from the rock. It cost him entry into the promised land. And then there is David, Jonah, Solomon and many others. Upon reading Hebrews 11, those names all appear in the author's list of people of faith. God's grace, is undeserved. His forgiveness is freely given. The parable of the Prodigal Son illustrates for us just how generous God is when it comes to forgiveness and restoration. Remember, the father represents God and when the son returned there was no conditions laid down by his father before he could be forgiven. It was freely given. God wants to forgive you and me and thus when we seek His restoration we can be assured that "All Is Forgiven." That does not mean that there is no more remembrance of the past for us. We do not have the capability to forget our past. Maybe that is a good thing. Do you think the prodigal son ever forgot how foolish he was? Remembering what we have been forgiven of acts as a reminder of how much God has done on our behalf. It is an incentive to live better for Him and to be even more grateful for what He has done in our life. May I suggest to you that the next time your memory becomes active and brings to the surface all of your past, thank God He has forgiven you of your sin, your hypocrisy, your distant travels and though we may still feel unworthy, thank Him again for His grace. Then let us commit ourselves to living for Him.