Scripture teaches that all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. Meaning that we all have a sinful and wicked past. No one who comes to Christ can say they have not sinned. If they do then scripture says they are nothing more than a liar. The only difference can be seen between the kinds of sin in one’s life. Or the depth of sin lived in. But that difference doesn’t matter in God’s eyes. As he forgives us for all our trespasses. Sadly though many don’t know this. Causing them to feel as though their past is able to disqualify them from serving God. Both in the present and even into the future. Yet, that is not the message scripture teaches at all.
The greatest message in the Bible is the message of salvation through Jesus Christ. In which we are told that we can receive eternal life in Heaven. Where death, pain, and sorrow will be no more. This great gift is given to those who walk in righteousness and abstain from the sins of the world.
Some may look at their past and say God doesn’t want to gift them with eternal life. But your past doesn’t matter to God. Because the pasts of those who turn to the Lord are no longer counted against them and cannot disqualify them. As Paul wrote those who live sinful lifestyles won’t inherit the kingdom of God. Also stating that we were once like that but have been changed. Our past is behind us and all that matters now is our present and future lived for the Lord. That will outweigh the old things and qualify us for eternity in Heaven.
1 Corinthians 6:9–11 (ESV)
9 Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, 10 nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. 11 And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.
Your past, no matter what it may contain, cannot and never will be able to disqualify you from recovering the free gift of salvation. All you have to do in order to qualify for this great gift is place your faith in Christ. Then follow the biblical plan of salvation. Then simply keep living for the Lord day by day doing your best to keep from falling back into sin. Those who have already received salvation never have to be concerned with the things that hide in their past again. Because they have become new in Christ and God is only concerned about their future.
While some worry about their pasts making it impossible for them to be saved many understand the grace and mercy of God in that area. However, many who know they can be saved despite their past have a hard time believing God can use them to serve in His Kingdom because of it. A lot of people think the things they once did are able to disqualify them from certain areas of service in the church. Like preaching, teaching, singing, and so on. But that is not the message we are given in Scripture. In contrast to that, the Bible tells us that nothing you have left in your past can keep you from being used by God in the future.
Just look a the Apostle Paul a man who referred to himself as chief among sinners. He did many wicked things before coming to a right relationship with the Lord. Including severely persecuting the church. Yet God was still willing to forgive him for those sins. Going on to use him to take the gospel farther than it had ever gone before. Paul himself said that he was an example to all people that anyone could be saved and he also proves that God is willing to use anyone despite their past.
1 Timothy 1:15–16 (ESV)
15 The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost. 16 But I received mercy for this reason, that in me, as the foremost, Jesus Christ might display his perfect patience as an example to those who were to believe in him for eternal life.
God used this same Paul to write out the qualifications for both Bishops and Deacons. Statements are made that they must be this, do this, or have this kind of attitude. However, as you read through the list nowhere does it say they must have always been this way. Nor do you find any mention of past tense things that can disqualify someone from those positions. God is willing to accept our past faults and use us in any role as long as our present is living according to His word.
1 Timothy 3:2–12 (ESV)
2 Therefore an overseer must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, sober-minded, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, 3 not a drunkard, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. 4 He must manage his own household well, with all dignity keeping his children submissive, 5 for if someone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he care for God’s church? 6 He must not be a recent convert, or he may become puffed up with conceit and fall into the condemnation of the devil. 7 Moreover, he must be well thought of by outsiders, so that he may not fall into disgrace, into a snare of the devil.
8 Deacons likewise must be dignified, not double-tongued, not addicted to much wine, not greedy for dishonest gain. 9 They must hold the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience. 10 And let them also be tested first; then let them serve as deacons if they prove themselves blameless. 11 Their wives likewise must be dignified, not slanderers, but sober-minded, faithful in all things. 12 Let deacons each be the husband of one wife, managing their children and their own households well.
The Bible also makes it clear that every believer is given a gift from the Lord to help within the Church. Gifts are not reserved for those who lived a good life before finding faith because truly those people don’t exist. Nor do we read of any past faults that can disqualify someone from receiving a gift. The Bible simply says that every Christian has a gift and that it is necessary for the betterment of the whole church. Meaning that no matter who you are or what you have done God has given you a gift to help you fulfill a role in the church. All you have to do is be willing to accept it.
Romans 12:6–8 (ESV)
6 Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; 7 if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching; 8 the one who exhorts, in his exhortation; the one who contributes, in generosity; the one who leads, with zeal the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness.
1 Peter 4:10–11 (ESV)
10 As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace: 11 whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.
1 Corinthians 12:21–27 (ESV)
21 The eye cannot say to the hand, “I have no need of you,” nor again the head to the feet, “I have no need of you.” 22 On the contrary, the parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, 23 and on those parts of the body that we think less honorable we bestow the greater honor, and our unpresentable parts are treated with greater modesty, 24 which our more presentable parts do not require. But God has so composed the body, giving greater honor to the part that lacked it, 25 that there may be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another. 26 If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honored, all rejoice together.
27 Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it.
Your past does not disqualify you from anything that God offers His people. No matter what wicked things you have done or how bad you believe you were God is willing to use and give you the very same things He gives anyone else. God isn’t focused on your past because that was erased the moment you were saved. Now God is only worried about the present you are living. So do your best to keep yourself from sin and stay focused on Him. Then you will be qualified for any position within the Kingdom God calls you to.
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