Share Your Past Life With Remorse
- Jan 18
- 3 min read
Rev. Tse Amable | January 18 2026 | Acts 22:1-21
KEY VERSE: “I persecuted the followers of this Way to their death, arresting both men and women and throwing them into prison, as the high priest and all the Council can themselves testify. ” (Acts 22:4-5a, NIV)
MESSAGE:
As Apostle Paul continued his defence, he mentioned his past life of sin, when he was an active persecutor of the believers in the early church. The people before whom he stood were already familiar with his past. But the Apostle Paul opened up about his past life to prove that he had initially been a terror to the saints. But in saying this, he was not glorying in his past life of wickedness. He was probably filled with remorse for living that life.
In his letter to Timothy, Apostle Paul wrote, “Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners - of whom I am the worst. But for that very reason, I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe on him and receive eternal life” (1 Timothy 1:15-16 NIV). In his letter to the Galatians, Apostle Paul wrote, “May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world” (Galatians 6:14 NIV).
You can share your past life of sin in your witness for the Lord to bring someone to saving faith in Jesus Christ, but do so with remorse. Do not let your listeners leave you with the impression that you are boasting and glorying in your past sinful life.
FEET AND HANDS FOR THE MESSAGE:
How are you able to bring up your past sinful life as a testimony to God’s power and ability to save even those who are trapped in deep sin and iniquity? The Lord is capable of using the open sharing of our shameful past and sinful lives, backed by the evidence of our changed lives, to save the lost. Therefore, share your past story prayerfully and sincerely. Do not hide it. PRAYER:
Father, I pray that you help me share the story of my past sinful life wisely and empower me to present it boldly to win a lost soul for Jesus Christ. I pray in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen!
THERE SHALL BE SHOWERS OF BLESSING.
SHOWERS! BLESSINGS!!
The 365 DAILY BIBLE READING
DAILY word study: PERSECUTED (Diōkō) In Greek, the word Diōkō means to pursue with harmful intent, to hunt down, harass, or oppress someone relentlessly. It describes deliberate action, not accidental wrongdoing.
In Acts 22:4, Paul openly admits that he persecuted believers. He does not excuse his behaviour or shift blame. By naming his sin honestly, Paul shows that true testimony does not hide wrongdoing. His confession magnifies God’s mercy rather than his own story. Paul’s openness teaches that grace becomes more visible when sin is acknowledged truthfully.
Reflect on this:
Do you speak honestly about your past when you share your faith? Allow God’s grace to remain the focus, not the details of sin.
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