Our Past

“I thank Christ Jesus our Lord … He considered me faithful, putting me into service, even though I was previously a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent aggressor. Yet I was shown mercy because I acted ignorantly in unbelief.”—1 Timothy 1:12–13 NASB

Paul was a model believer: devout, zealous, and a defender of the faith. Yet looking back, Paul realized he had been a “blasphemer,” and before he knew Christ, he had been seeking to persecute His followers. But he came to realize that God could use his past and even his mistakes to spread the Gospel.

He thought about people like Hymenaeus and Alexander who had “suffered shipwreck in regard to their faith.” Concerned for their spiritual condition, Paul handed them “over to Satan, so that they will be taught not to blaspheme” (vs. 19–20).

Drawing on his own experience, Paul knew these men needed a wake-up call. He had been an example for others, and there was much these two men needed to learn. If they were “handed over to Satan,” they might see their actions in a new light and be jarred into reconsidering what they had done, turning to God more sincerely.

Paul demonstrated an important principle: God uses our lives to accomplish His purposes. What we have learned and done, even our mistakes, are things we can share with conviction. The things we know through our own experience—not theories but reality—can help others learn, confront their problems, and change.

God can use your past to impact others. Be sensitive to His Spirit, so He can use you and everything you have done.

Reflection Question: What part(s) of your story can you share to impact others?