Go tell it on the mountain

A friend of mine has done some things for which they are deeply ashamed. Some happened before becoming a Christian and unfortunately some after, (during a period of backsliding). Nearly every time I am around his person they lament about it. My advice has been and continues to be for them to forgive themselves. The Bible assures us that when we initially become a Christian and accept God as our Savior and ask God to come into our life and forgive us, that our sins are forgiven and “remembered no more”. We are “born again” and become new creatures in God and are instructed to look forward and not back. Further once we belong to the Lord, if we are tempted and fail, but yet repent and ask God to forgive us, most assuredly He does, and we should forgive ourselves right along with Him.

My wife and I attended a seafood festival this weekend, or at least we attempted to do so. There were literally hundreds of thousands of people that apparently had the same idea, (at least half were on loud motorcycles). We drove for hours to get to the remote location in Everglades City, only to turn around and go home without even getting out of the car when we got there because it was so crowded. The long drive gave us plenty of time to talk, (ugh!), and this subject came up. I related to her that many of my friends are “hounding” me to finish writing my book. I confessed that part of the reason that I am so slow about it is that I do not like to talk about how rotten I was as a non-Christian. I sometimes feel led to share bits and pieces of my former life in WFTD if I think it might help someone, but unlike my friend who wants to talk about it all of the time, I do not like to re-live those days; I do not like to even think about that period of my life, much less talk about it to someone else.

My wife related to me that our pastor had preached about the subject of God allowing certain things to happen in our lives in order that we might witness to others about it and help them in their walk. I believe this to be true. We have been shaped and molded by God to accomplish His purpose. Consider the Apostle Paul for example. This man as a Pharisee used to persecute Christians and was instrumental in the deaths of more than one. Stephen was stoned to death dying a horrible death because of Paul. Paul went on to write a major portion of the Bible, and although he agonized about some of the things he had done as a non-Christian, he was not shy about writing about it in an effort to lead others to the Lord. God used this former Pharisee’s testimony mightily to reach others.

One of the most Godly men ever recorded in the Bible was sorely tempted and succumbed to it. King David had an affair with Bathsheba, got her pregnant, and then went on to have her husband killed and took her as his wife. David was severely punished for these sins to be sure, but he was also forgiven these terrible deeds, and I mean forgiven. Consider that the lineage of Jesus Christ comes from King David and interestingly from him and Bathsheba instead of his lawful wife!

Read the book of Psalms, (written by David), sometime and read about how David deeply regretted ever committing this sin and how he begged God to forgive him. More importantly consider why God allowed all of this to happen. I believe that He used David’s weakness to encourage others so that when they fail in their walk with God, they can look to King David as an example. If they do so, they will get up and dust themselves off, repent and ask for forgiveness, accept whatever punishment is due and move on vowing to never make that mistake again and use it where they can to help encourage others who may be struggling with the temptation of satan at times in their lives.


I suppose all of this means that I should redouble my efforts to finish this blasted book and get it behind me. My advice to my friend and others who struggle with their dark past is to forgive yourself, but if it will help someone else in their walk with God, do not be reluctant to share your story with others, (as painful and/or embarrassing as it might be). It just might make the difference in someone spending eternity in heaven instead of hell. I will tell you that if anyone had known me when I hitch hiked into Atlanta so many years ago as a wicked person with evil dripping out of every pore, they would not have ever believed that I could have ever become a Christian, or dramatically changed my life 180 degrees. It is this dramatic “before and after” testimony as to the difference that God can make in one’s life that encourages people and makes them want to become a Christian too.

Psalms 51:3
For I acknowledge my
transgressions.
And my sin is always before
me.
Against You, You only, have I
sinned
Hide your face from my sins,
And blot out my iniquities.