Sis, do you need encouragement today?
Dr. Gary Habermas, a distinguished professor of philosophy and one of the world’s leading scholars on the historical evidence for the resurrection of Jesus, has some encouragement for you.
In a recent message delivered to the Evangelical Philosophical Society, Dr. Habermas shared three powerful examples of how God can work even through the most difficult and painful circumstances for the good of those who love Him and are called according to His purposes (Romans 8:28).
Consider Peter, James, and Paul.
Peter, a disciple of Jesus, denied Him three times on the night of His arrest.
James, the half-brother of Jesus, grew up in the same home with Him, yet did not initially believe in Him (John 7:5). Mark also tells us that Jesus’s family went to take charge of Him because they believed He was “out of his mind” (Mark 3:21).
And then there was Paul.
Before becoming the apostle Paul, Saul fiercely persecuted the early church. Luke records his presence at the stoning of Stephen: the witnesses laid their garments at Saul’s feet, and Saul approved of Stephen’s execution (Acts 7:58; 8:1). He would go on to ravage the church, entering homes and dragging away Christian men and women to prison (Acts 8:3).
Peter. James. Paul.
Each had a past. Each was a sinner in need of grace, just as we are. Peter denied Jesus. James did not believe. Paul persecuted His church.
And yet, their failures were not the end of their stories.
All three would encounter the risen Jesus. Their hope was not found in overcoming their pasts, making themselves worthy, or accomplishing enough for God. Their hope was found in Christ.
God’s plan ultimately centered not on what they could do for Him, but on what He had done for them through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
As Dr. Habermas so tenderly puts it:
“God uses wounded lives for purposes beyond what we could imagine.”
What an encouragement for us.
God, in His wisdom and mercy, can work through our suffering, weaknesses, failures, and hardships for His purposes. The good He accomplishes is through His strength, not our own.
And this is important: our testimonies do not save people. Our testimonies point people to the One who saves.
Peter’s story ultimately points beyond Peter.
James’s story points beyond James.
Paul’s story points beyond Paul.
And our stories should point beyond us—to Jesus Christ and the good news of His death and resurrection.
So, sister, no matter how low the remorse of past mistakes may bring you, remember: your deepest regrets are not beyond God’s redeeming purposes. Your past does not place you beyond His grace.
There is everlasting hope in God for you and me—every single day. And that hope is not ultimately found in a better version of ourselves, but in Jesus Christ crucified and risen.
His grace was enough for Peter.
His grace was enough for James.
His grace was enough for Paul.
Sister, His grace is enough for you, too.
