How to Live in Joy and Peace Despite Your Unpleasant Past?
“But on some points I have written to you very boldly by way of reminder, because of the grace given me by God (16) to be a minister of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles”
Here, Paul was addressing the Jewish Christians reminding them of some points. One is his ministry to the Gentiles as God’s act of grace, and more importantly, based on what he already told them in the previous verses and chapters, that God is merciful to all people–not only among the Jews, but also to the Gentiles. He emphasized to them that both Jewish and Gentile Christians rest their hope in God. And because of this, there is no point of being in conflict with one another. Paul instructed them to accept one another, and bear one another’s weaknesses, and live in harmony with one another so that they will be filled with joy and peace in praising God as a church.
We talked about this in the previous Sundays as we go through our series of sermons on the Letter of Paul to the Romans. But let me just ask everyone this follow-up questions, since God is raising this up again:
How are you doing in terms of accepting your brother or sister in Christ? Do you only fellowship with those who are easy to get along with? Or have you learned to accept and fellowship with those whom you perceive as difficult to be with?
How are you doing in terms of understanding the weaknesses of your brother or sister in Christ? Did you show how much you care? Did you do something to help overcome his or her weaknesses like a godly counsel and words of encouragement and prayers?
Do you pray for the unity of the church and do something that would strengthen our unity in Christ?
Brothers and sisters, let God’s message be heard once again, and listen with your ears open,
God wants you to accept your brother and sister in Christ despite the weaknesses you see in him/her. And I’m not asking that you forget about the sin your brothers and sisters had done to you because, unlike God, we use to remember the sins others have done to us. What I am asking, and what God is asking is for you to forgive your brothers and sisters because it is in forgiveness that we learn to forget the past and get along with one another in love and in the fullness of joy.
And God also wants you to look at your own weaknesses so there is nothing you can brag about and that you may accept the fact that everyone in the church, including you, has weaknesses except God. God alone is good and we are all sinners saved by grace in Jesus Christ.
So, let’s accept one another as brothers and sisters in Christ together with our weaknesses and let’s encourage one another to overcome temptations and sinful desires, and let us be holy just as God is holy and be the person that God wants us to be. And let’s live in harmony, in joy and peace as we worship God together in praises and thanksgiving. Amen?
Romans 15:15-16 …because of the grace given me by God (16) to be a minister of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles in the priestly service of the gospel of God, so that the offering of the Gentiles may be acceptable, sanctified by the Holy Spirit.
Now, God called Paul to become a minister to the Gentiles. Paul considers this as God’s gracious act in Christ Jesus.
Truth about our text: God was gracious to Paul for having called him in the ministry despite his unpleasant past.
Later on I will explain why it is important to mention Paul’s unpleasant past. Do you have an unpleasant past? I’m sure all of us do.
Word: How to Live in Joy and Peace Despite Your Unpleasant Past?
Pray
God was gracious to Paul for having called him in the ministry despite his unpleasant past.
In 1 Timothy 1:15, Paul admitted that he was the worst of all sinners.
1 Corinthians 15:9 ESV For I am the least of the apostles, unworthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God.
Acts 8:3 GNB records that Paul who was then called Saul tried to destroy the church; going from house to house, he dragged out the believers, both men and women, and threw them into jail.
In Acts 8:1, it says that Paul was responsible for stoning Stephen to death.
Paul had an unpleasant past and yet, God saved him and called him in the ministry. That is why he appreciated God’s grace so much. Do you appreciate the grace of God in your life?
ALL OF US HAVE AN UNPLEASANT PAST BECAUSE WE ARE SINFUL BY NATURE!
Since we were born, we inherited from Adam this sinful nature. When we learned to think and talk as a child and act freely, our sinful nature was like dragging us into sin. Do you realize that? Try to go back in time and remember your childhood. Who taught you to take something that is not yours? Who taught you to lie? Who taught you to hurt someone? Let’s say that you see others doing that, or the devil probably tempted you, but remember that you are free to act by yourself and you may choose not to follow the bad examples of others who are around you!
Why steal when you can choose not to take something that is not yours? Why lie when you can choose to say the truth? Why hurt someone when you can choose to love and to protect? It boils down to one thing–since we were born, we inherited from Adam this sinful nature. Since childhood, we learned to sin and we chose to sin freely and wilfully.
King David said in Psalms 51:5 ESV Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin did my mother conceive me.
King David wrote this psalm when prophet Nathan confronted him of his sin with Bathsheba. And He attributed his sinful acts to his sinful nature from the day his mother conceived him.
Brothers and sisters, consider your age and the number of years you chose to sin against God since childhood. Those number of years of following your sinful desires created a lot of memories of your unpleasant past.
Maybe some of us have had a very bad character since childhood and it affected their school record from elementary to high school. Maybe some of us got involved in illegal drugs, or fornication, perversion, sex outside of marriage and all sorts of lustful activities.
And you cannot do anything about your past. It’s always there. It is marked on the calendar. Sometimes, it comes across your memory. Sometimes, you dream about it. For some people, their unpleasant past haunts them. They want to get away with it, but it sticks to their memory and it keeps coming into their minds and it makes them sad and sorrowful like a prisoner who was longing for the day that they will be set free and live a life of peace and joy. Do you remember your unpleasant past? Does it keep coming back to your memories? Do you dream about it? Does it rob you of peace and joy? Do you want to be set free from your unpleasant past?
So, what do we do about our unpleasant past?
Well, let’s look at what the Bible teaches us in dealing with our unpleasant past and how to live in peace and joy despite bad memories it gives us.
How to Live in Joy and Peace Despite Your Unpleasant Past?
1. Accept and admit your past mistakes.
Now, for some people, they are convinced that they did nothing wrong about the bad things which had happened in their past. Well, this is possible because at some point others have grown mature in their faith and became cautious about what to do and what not to do. But what if you really did something wrong and you just don’t know it fully well or maybe, you are in a denial?
Listen to this, brothers and sisters. At first, Paul thought that there was nothing wrong about dragging Christians to jail. He also found nothing wrong in approving people to stone Stephen to death. Paul did not think that he sinned against God doing these horrible things because the majority of the jews agreed with what he did, especially the jewish authorities. It was only when Jesus spoke to Paul and changed his perspective did he realize that he was wrong about what he did in the past. And when he finally accepted and admitted his mistakes, he humbly confessed how he had been the worst among sinners.
1 Timothy 1:15 GNB This is a true saying, to be completely accepted and believed: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners. I am the worst of them.
Would you follow Paul’s example of humility by accepting and admitting that you have done something wrong about your unpleasant past? Or would you still take pride by thinking and saying that every bad thing that happened to you was caused by other people and you have nothing to do with it because you think you were a good person?
So, the important question to ask here is this: how would you know you are wrong about something whether it be in the past or at present?
You are most likely wrong if you base your standard of right and wrong on the majority of unbelievers. Before Paul believed in Christ, he thought that dragging Christians to jail and putting Stephen to death were all good. Why? Because the majority of unbelieving Jews, including him, think that there is nothing wrong in doing them. Well, the Jews believe in God, but since they rejected Jesus Christ as their Messiah, then this makes them no different from other unbelieving nations. Do you base your standard of right and wrong on the majority of unbelievers which is why you think that there is nothing wrong in being a drunkard or in being a gay or in being sexually immoral, etc.? Remember, if you go with the majority of unbelievers and think the way they think and live the way they live, then your truth will be compromised and this will make you believe that you have done nothing wrong at all whether it be in the past or at present.
Paul exhorted the believers not to go with the ways of this world.
Romans 12:2 GNB Do not conform yourselves to the standards of this world, but let God transform you inwardly by a complete change of your mind. Then you will be able to know the will of God—what is good and is pleasing to him and is perfect.
Remember, IF YOU FOLLOW THE STANDARDS OF THIS WORLD OF WHICH MANY UNBELIEVERS DO–THE LUST OF THE EYES, THE LUST OF THE FLESH, AND THE PRIDE OF LIFE, CHANCES ARE, YOU WERE WRONG ABOUT MANY THINGS IN YOUR PAST AND MAY COMMIT MANY SIN AT THE PRESENT.
Next, how would you know you are wrong about something whether it be in the past or at present?
Ask God to show you your mistakes.
Listen to how David prays,
Psalms 139:23-24 GNB Examine me, O God, and know my mind; test me, and discover my thoughts. (24) Find out if there is any evil in me and guide me in the everlasting way.
Do you ask God in prayer to show Him if you were wrong about something? David asks God in prayer to examine him and see if there is any mistake or evil way in him. Did God answer him? Yes! As far as his problem with king Saul was concerned, God found him not guilty of any error. It was king Saul who was jealous of David because God chose David to replace him as king. And all Saul did after knowing this was to kill David. But as far as David’s problem with Bathsheba is concerned, God finds him guilty of sin. And David was able to cover up his sin with Bathsheba for some time, but when God sent prophet Nathan to him, his evil deed was exposed and his sin came to light. This leads us to the next point.
How would you know you are wrong about something whether it be in the past or at present?
Listen to God’s messenger/s in showing you your faults. In Paul’s case, it was Jesus who confronted him directly for his mistakes. Up from heaven, Jesus revealed Himself as a bright light and He spoke to Paul and said–“Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?” This made Paul realize his mistakes and he repented of his sins and put his trust in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. But in David’s case, God didn't speak to him directly. God used His servant, Nathan to show him his faults. Would you let God’s servant tell you your mistakes? Or how do you deal with God’s servants when He sends them to you for sin confrontation?
Let me tell you how David dealt with God’s servant when he was confronted of his sin with Bathsheba:
2 Samuel 12:13a ESV David said to Nathan, “I have sinned against the LORD.”
David didn’t say to God’s servant, why tell me of my past. Past is past! No! David didn’t have to say that because he knew that bringing out his past sin would lead him to repentance and the restoration of his joy of salvation and his freedom from his unpleasant past!
Remember, KEEPING YOUR SIN IN SECRET WILL MAKE YOU A PRISONER OF YOUR PAST. AND IN ORDER TO GAIN YOUR FREEDOM AND THE JOY OF YOUR SALVATION, THEN YOU MUST ALLOW GOD TO EXPOSE YOUR SIN, AND ADMIT IT, AND CONFESS IT TO HIM.
This leads us to the next major point…
How to Live in Joy and Peace Despite Your Unpleasant Past?
2. Repent and confess your sins to God.
When Jesus told Paul directly about his sin, he repented and said, “I am the worst of all sinners” (1Tim 1:15). And when God used His servant, Nathan to tell David about his sin, he repented and said, “I have sinned against the LORD.” (2Sam 12:13a)
Now, what is the difference between repentance and confession of sins to God?
Repentance is when you accept and admit that you have done something wrong and you change your mind about it (metanoia).
Confession is when you agree with God that you violated His will (homologeo), that's why you accept and admit your sins before Him.
Both are necessary for God to forgive us our sins.
The Bible says in Acts 3:19 ESV Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out.
Repentance is necessary for the blotting out of our sins!
1 John 1:9 ESV If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
Confession of sins to God is necessary for our forgiveness and cleansing!
Why is this important to understand?
Because YOU CANNOT HAVE REAL PEACE AND JOY IF YOU DO NOT KNOW THAT GOD HAS FORGIVEN ALL YOUR SINS. AND IN ORDER FOR GOD TO FORGIVE YOU FROM ALL YOUR SINS, YOU MUST REPENT AND CONFESS TO HIM YOUR SINS.
Have you come to the Lord in the spirit of humility knowing that you have sinned against God? Do you agree with God that you have violated His will? Have you repented from your sins and have you turned to God and asked Him for forgiveness? If you do, then God is true to His Word. 1 John 1:9 (ESV) If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
This leads us to the next point…
How to Live in Joy and Peace Despite Your Unpleasant Past?
3. Believe that God has blotted out all your past sins.
The Bible says in Acts 3:19 (ESV) Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out.
The Greek word used for “blot out” means to wipe away, erase, or smear out. This metaphor of an ink being blotted out from a record of debt was used to describe the complete removal of sin through the sacrificial blood of Jesus Christ. It is a development of Old Testament imagery where God erases the record of transgression.
That’s why in 2 Samuel 12:13 ESV (when) David said to Nathan, “I have sinned against the LORD.” And Nathan said to David, “The LORD also has put away your sin; you shall not die.”
Paul emphasized this in Colossians 2:13-14 (ESV) And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, 14 by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross.
(Tagalog) Kayong mga Hentil na dating patay dahil sa kasalanan ay muling binuhay ng Diyos na kasama ni Cristo. Pinatawad niya tayo sa ating mga kasalanan at (14) pinawalang-bisa ang lahat ng kasulatan laban sa atin, pati mga pananagutang kaugnay nito. Pinawi niya ang lahat ng ito nang ipako siya sa krus.
Brothers and sisters, if you are a believer in Jesus Christ, which means that at some point in your life, you heard the gospel and you responded in repentance and confession of your sins to God, then God has blotted out all your sins in the past. He erased your record of wrong completely out of his memory and He will no longer count your sin against you. And you believe it because God’s words are true. Amen?
Therefore, since God is true to His words and you believe that God took away all your sins in the past, then even how much the devil tries to show you your past, it will not do you any harm because God’s truth is mightier than his lies. In fact, God’s forgiving you released you from being a prisoner of your unpleasant past. And whenever the devil attempts to show you your past mistakes, you respond by saying that God already dealt with it by His mercy and grace and He already released me from it through the blood of His Son, Jesus Christ.
Having said all these, I’m sure you would feel this sense of peace and joy in your mind and heart. Amen?
How to Live in Joy and Peace Despite Your Unpleasant Past?
4. Make up to God for your past mistakes.
Knowing that God has blotted out all your sins in the past should not only give you a sense of peace and joy. It should also lead you to a commitment to make up with your past mistakes. Amen?
When Jesus came to dine with Zacchaeus at his house and preached to him, he changed his mind about his sins and he wanted to make up to God. He said,
Luke 19:8 …“Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor. And if I have cheated anyone of anything, I restore it fourfold.”
Now that God has forgiven you and saved you, how do you make up to Him for your past mistakes?
Do you need to make up to God for the people you cheated in the past? Do you need to say sorry to your son or daughter or parents for the sins which you have hidden for a long time? What do you think God wanted you to do to make up to Him for the past mistakes you have committed? Talk to God about it!
Next, how to Live in Joy and Peace Despite Your Unpleasant Past?
5. Forgive.
Forgive yourself for having made a wrong decision in the past. It’s over. And people make the wrong decision over and over again. Paul made several bad decisions. David made several bad decisions. Moses made several bad decisions. I made several of bad decisions in the past and I have to forgive myself. So, forgive yourself, too.
Rom 8:1, There is now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus. So, don't condemn yourself. Forgive yourself for the mistakes you did in the past!
Also…
Forgive others who have brought you pain and trouble in the past.
Forgive your parents who have hurt you. Forgive your children who caused you nothing but trouble. Forgive your spouse if he or she cheated on you. Forgive those who have filed a case against you in court. Forgive those who took something valuable from you. Forgive those who gossiped on you and made lies about you in public. Forgive those who said harsh and mean words to you.
Colossians 3:13 GNB Be tolerant with one another and forgive one another whenever any of you has a complaint against someone else. You must forgive one another just as the Lord has forgiven you.
Next,
6. Learn from your past mistakes.
All people make mistakes, but only those who learn from their mistakes become even wiser. Those who repeat the same mistake over and over again learn nothing but foolishness.
Proverbs 26:11 GNB A fool doing some stupid thing a second time is like a dog going back to its vomit.
(Tagalog) Ang taong nananatili sa kanyang kahangalan ay tulad ng aso, ang suka ay binabalikan.
If you realized that you were wrong in the past, don’t repeat it again. That’s foolishness. Rather, learn from your past mistakes. Since you already knew what went wrong, you know how to do it better next time.
Do you know why the pencil manufacturers put an eraser on one end? Because they know that people make mistakes. So if you make a mistake, you just erase it and rewrite a better story.
How to Live in Joy and Peace Despite Your Unpleasant Past?
7. Serve God.
This leads us back to our text.
Romans 15:15-16 ESV But on some points I have written to you very boldly by way of reminder, because of the grace given me by God (16) to be a minister of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles in the priestly service of the gospel of God, so that the offering of the Gentiles may be acceptable, sanctified by the Holy Spirit.
God was gracious to Paul because He called him to minister to the Gentiles despite his unpleasant past. The qualification to serve God was simple: Paul was a sinner saved by God’s grace. God didn’t look at Paul’s unpleasant past. He looked at how Paul responded to His Son, Jesus Christ in repentance and faith. And then He gave him the opportunity to serve as a minister to the Gentiles.
Do you feel you need to qualify yourself before you serve our living God? God’s qualification is simple: just admit you are a sinner, then repent and confess your sins to Him, and receive Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior. And as God has promised in His Word, He will forgive you and cleanse you from all your unrighteousness and He will grant you the free gift of eternal life. Then you may commit your life in service to Him.
God may allow you to serve Him depending on the spiritual gift the Holy Spirit will give you. God may give you the gift of help, the gift of giving, the gift of healing, the gift of teaching, etc.
1 Peter 4:10 GNB Each one, as a good manager of God's different gifts, must use for the good of others the special gift he has received from God.
Closing:
How to Live in Joy and Peace Despite Your Unpleasant Past?
Accept and admit your past mistakes
Repent and confess your sins to God
Believe that God has blotted out all your past sins
Make up to God for your past mistakes
Forgive yourself and others
Learn from your past mistakes
Serve God
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