Remember...You Were One Of Them!

Do not be deceived; neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor homosexuals, nor thieves, nor the covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers, will inherit the kingdom of God. Such were some of you; but you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and in the Spirit of our God.  – 1 Corinthians 6:9-11

Have you ever heard Christians speaking about unbelievers in a way that made you think they were their enemies? Their attitude was one of condescension and condemnation. Compassion was obviously absent from the room. Maybe you have spoken in this way. At times I have been in that camp, where my heart was hardened (in an adversarial mode) towards the lost. What happened to make us so callous?

If we forget our past, we will fail to empathize with those who don’t know the Lord. Not remembering our past creates the “us versus them” mentality. This mentality leads to hostility toward our fellow travelers and condemnation rather than compassion.

Instead you must remember your past life when you were equally selfish, rebellious, sinful, and under God’s wrath. As Paul reminded the Christians in Corinth, “Such were some of you; but you were washed.” Remembering your rebellious and sinful past can help you relate to unbelievers, instead of criticizing them. You will have more compassion for those who are still in darkness, who are held captive by Satan as you once were: “...and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, having been held captive by him to do his will” (2 Timothy 2:26).

Remembering where you came from will keep you humble too. All of this will result in more of the lost coming to Jesus for eternal life. That is what God wants!