A very popular excuse for lack of repentance
Why
is this one of Satan's favorite lies?
"I have felt these
tendencies since I was a child," declare some homosexuals. "I could
never be anything different."
"Everyone in my family
has a hot temper," says a divisive brother. "That's just the way I am."
With similar statements,
we excuse our lack of repentance for vices and bad attitudes, presenting
ourselves as helpless victims of past experiences. In doing so, we
disregard the regenerating power of the gospel to make us new creatures
in Christ's image.
My Past
May Leave Me With Obstacles and Thorns
The scriptures
acknowledge that sin we have committed as well as that committed against
us leaves scars, pain and difficult obstacles. Old Testament characters
like Leah, Jephtah, Tamar and Hosea must have struggled mightily to
overcome rejection and abuse. Paul's persecution of others left him in
such deep anguish that he referred to himself as "chief of sinners."
(I
Timothy 1:15)
Though we are put off by
the growing number of whiners and "victims," Christians must not
overreact to such by becoming cynical and harsh towards those who are
suffering. Impatiently telling those with spiritual wounds to "fess up"
or "snap out of it," is not following Christ's teaching or example.
(Luke
6:36; James 2:13, etc.)
Such severe and unfeeling responses are like those of Job's "friends"
and are prevalent in the cults of control like the Boston Movement.
Firmness in proclaiming the need for repentance or perseverance, should
not be incompatible with gentleness and love.
All Can
Be Controlled and Overcome
Though my past can leave
me scarred, the good news is that through Christ's death, all can be
forgiven. Through His sanctifying Word, old spiritual bugaboos can be
controlled and eventually overcome. The New Testament is filled with
references to the power of the gospel to change lives.
· The
gospel is the "power of God unto salvation"
(Rom.
1:16)
·
"God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power..."
(2
Tim. 1:7)
·
Paul prayed to Him "who is able to do abundantly above all that we ask
or think according to the power that works in us."
(Eph.
3:20)
· Paul
was confident that the Colossians would be "strengthened with all might,
according to His glorious power."
(Col.
1:11)
New Testament examples
abound of those who overcame sinful pasts to become pure and powerful
servants of Jesus.
· The
apostle Paul was cleansed and forgiven for participating in the
persecution and death of faithful Christians. Murderers of Christians
can overcome their past through the grace of God!
· The
Thessalonians "turned to God from idols."
(I
Thess. 1:9) Pagan
idol worshippers can overcome their past!
· Peter
overcame his impulsiveness to be a pillar among God's people. Those who
are impulsive can overcome their past.
· Some
of the Corinthians had been "fornicators, idolaters, adulterers,
homosexuals, sodomites, thieves, covetous, drunkards, revilers and
extortioners" but they were washed, sanctified and justified in the name
of the Lord.
(I
Cor. 6:9-11)
Homosexuals, fornicators, drug addicts (drunkards) and others entangled
in ungodly lifestyles can overcome their past!
Modern
Examples
The gospel of Christ is
still powerful today to free from the past those who are willing to turn
to the Him. The lives of close friends illustrate the point:
"Jane" (not her real
name) never knew who her father was. Her mother chased her out of the
house telling her that she didn't want her around. Often Jane sorted
through garbage to find something to eat. Today Jane is a happy,
faithful Christian and a dear friend who has blessed hundreds of people.
Matt was a faithful
member of a congregation here in the Northeast who moved to another
state. Several years ago he wrote an article in
"Sentry Magazine,"
confessing homosexual tendencies that came from a troubled childhood,
but relating at the same time about learning to control them by applying
Biblical principles in his life.
Other close friends have
learned to deal with alcoholism, religious error, uncontrollable
tempers, despair from death of loved ones and every imaginable blow that
Satan could deliver. Their purity and hope in spite of grievous
spiritual wounds, both self inflicted and those delivered by others,
reassure us that the gospel is still powerful to free from the past
today just as it was in the first century!
With God's grace and
power along with our genuine repentance and determination to take
responsibility for our lives, even the most vile impulses can be
controlled and eventually overcome. The deepest and most painful wounds
can begin to heal. The idea that our past cannot be dealt with, is a lie
of Satan, designed to keep us enchained to him. All things can become
new in Christ and we can be white and pure as snow through Him. Never
forget, there's soul cleansing power in the blood of the Lamb!
