1 Corinthians 15:3-10
I passed on to you what was most important and what had also been passed on to me. Christ died for our sins, just as the Scriptures said. He was buried, and he was raised from the dead on the third day, just as the Scriptures said. He was seen by Peter and then by the Twelve. After that, he was seen by more than 500 of his followers at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have died. Then he was seen by James and later by all the apostles. Last of all, as though I had been born at the wrong time, I also saw him. For I am the least of all the apostles. In fact, I’m not even worthy to be called an apostle after the way I persecuted God’s church. But whatever I am now, it is all because God poured out his special favour on me—and not without results. For I have worked harder than any of the other apostles; yet it was not I but God who was working through me by his grace.
As believers in Jesus we are made new, cleansed and completely forgiven by Jesus.
Does that mean we should shut out our failures and past wrongs committed?
Paul was keenly aware that he was the least worthy of all the apostles because of the murderous deeds of his past.
This kept him grounded and reliant on God's grace and mercy.
He confessed that of his own self there wasn't anything to boast about Romans 7:18
So if today you're feeling lousy about yourself and your past, you're in good company - shake hands with Paul - and the rest of us, the redeemed, come to that!
Let's "ring fence" the bad stuff of the past and use it as a signpost showing just how good is God to forgive us.
Today I can look at my life and say "nothing to boast about here" not in a negative way, but in a way that relies wholly on the Cross of Jesus.
Ephesians 1:3-5
Praise God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! He has blessed us in Christ with every blessing which is in heaven, such as the Spirit gives us.
Before the world was made, God chose us in Christ. He chose us that we should be holy and good before him.
Because He loved us, He planned that we should be his own children. It is through Jesus Christ that we are God's children. That is the way God wanted it to be.
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