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- Oct 26, 2007
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This [is] a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief. 1 Timothy 1:15
The Bible calls Satan “’the accuser of our brothers and sisters, who accuses them before our God day and night’” (Revelation 12:10). So sometimes when God is purifying your heart and your contrast yourself to His holiness, you feel great guilt. As King David grew older, he was driven to pray, “Remember not the sins of my youth” (Psalm 25:7).
The apostle Paul was also reminded of his past sins, and this caused him to declare, “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst” (1 Timothy 1:15).
Paul had done some horrific things. He confessed, “I persecuted (Christians) unto the death, binding and delivering into prisons both men and women” (Acts 22:4); “And when they were put to death, I gave my voice against them” (Acts 26:10). He tortured believers and demanded that they curse Christ, admitting, “I…compelled them to blaspheme” (Acts 26:11).
If you find that you’re constantly beating yourself up over the same past sins, it’s time to throw yourself anew upon the grace of God. John Newton, who wrote the famous hymn “Amazing Grace,” referred to himself as “a wretch,” because he’d been the captain of a slave ship. But God forgave even him. God has already completely forgiven you, too.
The Bible calls Satan “’the accuser of our brothers and sisters, who accuses them before our God day and night’” (Revelation 12:10). So sometimes when God is purifying your heart and your contrast yourself to His holiness, you feel great guilt. As King David grew older, he was driven to pray, “Remember not the sins of my youth” (Psalm 25:7).
The apostle Paul was also reminded of his past sins, and this caused him to declare, “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst” (1 Timothy 1:15).
Paul had done some horrific things. He confessed, “I persecuted (Christians) unto the death, binding and delivering into prisons both men and women” (Acts 22:4); “And when they were put to death, I gave my voice against them” (Acts 26:10). He tortured believers and demanded that they curse Christ, admitting, “I…compelled them to blaspheme” (Acts 26:11).
If you find that you’re constantly beating yourself up over the same past sins, it’s time to throw yourself anew upon the grace of God. John Newton, who wrote the famous hymn “Amazing Grace,” referred to himself as “a wretch,” because he’d been the captain of a slave ship. But God forgave even him. God has already completely forgiven you, too.
