Read the transcript from today's video devotional.
When I read this verse, I was reminded of a time where I went to speak at a conference. This was three years ago, and when I was driving, I drove past this location, and every time I drive past this location, it haunts me, because it reminded me of a season in my life where I was living a life of continual sin. I'm driving past this location and I'm just filled with shame and guilt.
Then the enemy just whispered to me, "You know they won't listen to you. In fact, do you remember what you did there? Remember when you used to live a life of sin..." I'm literally preaching the gospel to myself. I'm having to remind myself that that used to be me, and that's not me anymore. I'm reminding myself 1 Peter chapter 2 and verse 9 - I'm chosen. John chapter 1 and verse 12 - I'm a child of God. I'm preaching to myself because I was just racked with so much shame.
A Heart of Gratitude
In our verse today, Apostle Paul has this heart of gratitude. In a verse before that he says, "I persecuted God's people." Then he says in our verse, "Oh, how generous and gracious our Lord was." He's so grateful that God has captured his heart.
I remember when I was preaching to myself when I passed that location, the reason I was filled with gratitude was because God brought me out of a sinful life. He's given me new desires. I'm a new creation. I think when we walk with God for so long, it's easy to forget what God has brought us out of.
Remember Where You've Been
Don't forget where you used to be and where you are now. You might not be exactly where you want to be, but you're not where you used to be. Paul is saying, "I'm thankful that God has been so gracious and good to me." He's trying to encourage us - no matter how dark your past is, there's always hope.
Consider Paul. I mean, his goal was to kill Christians. Do you want to talk about a dark past? I mean, he had a very dark past, and he's encouraging us like, "God captured my heart, and He can do the same for you."
God Can Use Your Past
It doesn't stop there. When Paul got saved, he was available and God used him to reach so many people. For us that's important, because sometimes what God brings us out of, He calls us to. Let me give you an example. The reason I'm able to freely talk about how I used to be addicted to pornography is because I came out of that, and God brought me out of that so that I can help somebody else that's going through the same thing.
I just want to encourage you: You are never beyond repair, and there's always hope as long as there's breath in your lungs.
