Memories of Grandeur

It is easy to have false memories of grandeur about the former days. Perhaps some happy unbiblical traditions and good treatment if you followed all the man-made rules. The picnics, the climbing trees, the orderliness in the school system, and some other comforting things. We were children, we held onto what felt good and tried to ignore that which was not ugly. Most ugliness of sin was hidden from us in the culture, whereas now we see it in our faces every day. In that sense, it was a little better but was it holy......I don't think so.

Ecc. 7:10 "10 Do not say, “Why were the old days better than these?” For it is unwise of you to ask about this. "

All the generations were bad from the beginning. I grew up in a household that was mean and rarely read their Bibles but attended a church every week. What they did read elevated themselves but never changed their heart to love others.

The entire community thought they were wonderful but living in that house brought much misery and practically no love.

1 Corinthians 13:1-2 "1If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a ringing gong or a clanging cymbal. 2If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have absolute faith so as to move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.…"

The churchgoers then were following rules set down by their traditions but did not teach the Holy Spirit working in them.

I never saw my family reading their Bibles nor even speaking about Christ in our home. All the Christians I knew had a cultural Christianity of rules but very little love. They judged people about minor things because they didn't follow all their rules that weren't rules of God.

I never remember a time when I could talk to anyone in the house, they discouraged questions and dialogue. It is a wonder that I became a Christian at all except that God had a hold of my heart early on.

I sinned to cover up my pain and had no confidence that anyone in the house loved me, but I knew Christ loved me, it wasn't until later that I didn't need their love anymore, because I had Christ living in me.

I repented of my sin, confessed my desire to follow Christ and He has worked in me ever since. The reason I believe it was a miracle that I came to Christ is that because I was raised in a home that was deeply hypocritical, showing little love that would have pointed me to Christ.

God used others and circumstances to bring to Him. For a time after I became born again I fell to my knees in repentance and had no one to encourage me at that time. I spent a year alone with Christ while all those around me treated me as though I were "holier than thou" for declining to do the things they wanted me to do with them that God had cleaned me from .

Those hypocritical family members wanted to hold onto the way I used to be as though I had not changed. I believe it is because in all their years they saw themselves as sinless and never did repent to become born again.

I am sure there are some of you who can relate to this. Some people are married to those who resist the walk you wish to walk with Christ. Some have brothers and sisters who claim to be Christian but have rejected and mocked you to be able to pretend you never changed.

Praise the Lord, He knows you are a completely different person and that those who mock or demean you were never born again. Why do I say this?

I say this because I am confident that anyone who is born again is excited to admit and embrace the person who has been changed by Christ. Those who want to believe you have never changed walk in jealousy and pride. Never listen to them and getaway if you can.

There is nothing to be gained by remaining with those who refuse to enjoy your salvation with you.

Romans 12:14-16 "14Bless those who persecute you. Bless and do not curse. 15Rejoice with those who rejoice; weep with those who weep. 16Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but enjoy the company of the lowly. Do not be conceited."

Don't bother attempting to convince these wicked ones, just ignore their insults and move on with Christ.

I notice something as I read the Bible. I don't recall family members coming along with the apostles on their journeys for Christ. This may be the same for us.

Love these family members from afar through prayer and leave them to God, He knows exactly what they need and we do not.