“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness” - 1 John 1:9 (NIV).

One thing that tends to characterize many people God has used is they tend to have a past. Abraham the father of nations slept with his maid in an act of desperateness (Genesis 16). Moses the liberator of Israeli was once a run away murderer ( Exodus 2:14). Jacob slept with his daughter in law, Tamar, taking her for a prostitute, an act  once her pregnancy became known, he wished her burnt to death before he realized he was the culprit (Gen 38: 12- 27).  

The Apostle Peter denied the Lord three times (Luke 22:54-62). Before he converted, the Apostle Paul relished in the persecution of the church.

Although all these, and countless others saints had a past, quite not so romantic, yet the Lord used them mightily to further His work. This is an important point to grasp. Quite often we find those who looking back at their past may feel not up to the task of being useful because of that dark past. Guilt has overtaken them and they feel chained down.

Sometimes there are also those who pause and compare themselves to some towering figure in their surroundings. Standing in their shadows they feel hum strung, for they cannot match up to the saintly figure before them. Worse, still, there are situations where those who knows of one’s past are quick and eager to bring it up, as a stumbling block.

Looking at the past of many of those God has used it should be an encouragement to all, that any can play a meaningful role in the Lord’s kingdom. In fact those who come with a tainted past very often rise above all, as was of Paul.For the scripture are quite emphatic, “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus…” (Romans 8:1)

Guilt over some past and feeling inadequate is one of the tricks of Satan to paralyze believers in their individual callings. It is one of Satan's specialty to taunt those who have been forgiven in Christ as if there are not. But every believer, who has confessed his past to the Lord is forgiven and ready to be of much use, regardless.

Prayer for today: Lord Father God of Abraham, maker of heaven and earth, I thank you that through your son Jesus Christ you have forgiven me and can use me as you will to further your kingdom without alluding to my past!