Well, lets look at a few people who DID work for God and didnt have such a good past.....hmmmm
Abraham... was a liar(stating that his wife was really his sister).
Jacob... was a deceiver and a thief.(he stole his brothers birthrite).
Moses... was a murderer.
Rehab... was a prostitute
David was... an adulterer, conspired to murder and succeeded.
Solomon...(the wisest man to ever live, besides Jesus Christ) had over 700 wives and because of this became an idol worshiper.
Matthew (author of the Gospel)....was a tax collector(who were considered the lowest of the low).
Onesimus...was a runaway slave.
Jude, the half-brother of Jesus...would not believe that Jesus was the Messiah until much later in his life.
Thomas....doubted that Jesus rose from the dead.
Saul of Tarsus(Paul)....was a murderer, conspiritor, hater of the Truth and killer of the Christians...............
So I dont think you're so bad. Give people these examples...and then say what Jesus said....
Joh 8:7...he(Jesus) stood up and said to them, "Let him who is without sin among you be the first to throw a stone at her."
1Co 1:27 But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong;
2Co 12:10 For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
2007-11-30 14:10:54
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answer #1
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answered by bandaidgirl 3
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When I was young I was into some heavy stuff. By God's grace I'm out of it and serving God. Sometimes it helps me and sometimes it hampers me. When asked IF i'm worthy to do God's work, I remind them of David .He commited adultry, had a baby by her, and had her husband killed. I've never done worse than that. Yet, he was after God's own heart and he was the apple of Gods' eye. He repented and was forgiven and he did Gods' work from there on. Then there's Paul, he killed many Christians, yet God called him and he repented and served God from then on. If it's a Christian I politly ask them if they have ever sinned and been forgiven.? If they say no, then they lie, and who cares what they think. If they say yes, then I say well isn't it wonderful that we have a forgiving God and we can repent and be saved and do GOD'S WORK. I don't do it in a hateful or nasty way , but, I make it very plain that NO ONE is perfect and never sins. IF we were ,then why did Jesus have to die to redeem us.? Do you understand? I don't want to give the wrong impression. WE All sin and it has alaways been and will always be until we get to Heaven. I make sure people that are judgemental know about David and Paul. Hope this helps.
2007-11-27 08:45:26
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answer #2
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answered by HappyCamper 6
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The short answer is: NO
The longer answer from me is: Give more info.
The strongest example I can think of of someone who had a not-so-good past but did incredible work for God was Paul in the Bible. He was a soldier, killing many many believers, thousands, and, later after he received Christ he was responsible for many many more being 'saved' (it's still going on today).
No it shouldn't stop you working for God. No one can stop that.
What to say to those who tell you you've no business....etc. Many answers spring to mind, but the most powerful response was shown in the Bible by Jesus when he stood before Pilate and just was silent.
I've been in these situations and I've held my peace. Not easy at all. But God knows more than those who don't know how to keep a loving tongue in their mouth.
I like the one who answered that this experience will just make you a better worker for God. I tend to agree.
Blessings and peace.
Also, a mentor said to me a long time ago when I was concernced with my actions and what people thought, "People are going to talk about you whatever you do" So follow you heart.
I think we can help people alot more after we've been through something not-so-good. You can speak from a very real place of your personal experience. And sometimes that is more valuable to others than just telling them what to do (or not do - as you are now experiencing).
2007-11-26 01:48:21
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answer #3
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answered by Anonymous
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I can tell you right now this is a God question for me. I can't believe you asked this question. This is something that I am dealing with right now. I am dealing with leadership that feels like it is their responsibility to inform people of my past. They know of the mistakes that I have made and will only let me do certain things. They have totally looked down on me for something that happened over seven years ago. I am in such despair. I haven't really been the same since. I know God has forgiven me, but people don't forget as easy as God does. I read your question and I wanted to cry. I wish I had someone to pour my heart out to and talk to. i have cried out to God, but it seems that nothing ever changes. So maybe I won't be used by God after all.
2007-11-26 13:16:08
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answer #4
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answered by Godsgirl 4
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I would tell then that it is all the more reason, to say something because the Lord is a very forgiving God.I am proud that he for gave me of my not so clean way of life. We have so much to be thankful for . How many would give their lives for our sins. No one but the Lord. We all make mistakes that some aren't so willing to forgive. But the Lord is always there with an understanding heart. There is no sin to great that can not be for given, if we repent and seek the Lords forgiveness.Praise the Lord.
2007-11-26 02:04:33
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answer #5
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answered by Anonymous
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If everyone who has had a past, were to let that get in the was of working for God, then the only ones who were doing the work, will be those without sin, and we know how many of them there are.
some times it is our past that God uses to help others.
for instance how do you relate to an alcoholic if you have never been where they are now.
Jesus once said, "let him without sin cast the first stone"
I often use my past when ministering to others, for it is not what I have done in the past, but what I am doing in the now that is important.
2007-11-26 08:27:14
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answer #6
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answered by Hannah's Grandpa 7
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I would tell them that Christ has forgiven me and that in His word says that if we don't forgive others He won't forgive us.
Who the son has set free is free inddeed!
One can never judge someone, based on their past especially when they've repented and God has wiped the slate clean.
Romans 8:1- ' Therefore there is now NO condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus,who live, walk not after the dictates of the flesh,but after the dictates of the sPIRIT.
2:- For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has freed me from the law of sin and death.
If Christ has forgiven someone, it's hypocritical to put down someone because of it.
Out of our weaknesses we should be strengthening each other.We've all sinned and come short of the glory of God.
Some of the best Christians are those who use their past experiences to encourage the Body of Christ, and importantly
witness how they overcame to a non-believer.
2007-11-26 02:00:04
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answer #7
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answered by Mercede's Lamp 4
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We were born into sin and iniquity,God was sent to save us from our sins. God made us in the image of him,though we lack perfection,and fall short of the glory of Christ. We are vessels unto the lord. In many cases that very vessel could be a child,drunk,prostitute, or even a enemy. If you ask God to forgive,believe that he will. We must let the past be our history, and let our present be self evident,and let the future be God sent. God doesn't move in time he moves on time. So your past doesn't affect God, it only effects those who cant look in the mirror and see there own faults.
2007-11-26 01:51:16
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answer #8
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answered by indef 2
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If we look thru God's word...we will see that he never chose a man or woman that was anything close to perfect....except his only begotten son ...our Saviour.
Saul...know as Paul...was a heretic..and hater of christianity. God appeared to him on the road to Demascus and said.." Why persecutest thou me"..?..blinded him for 3 days....left him in darkness so that he might see the light. God used Paul and many other men and woman to do his work that would not be considered righteous amoung us. I think this message is to teach us that no matter what our past is...no matter where we are from...what we have done...his love for us is unconditional...and uncompromised.
If we left our past hinder us from feeling the joy of his love and and freedom from guilt then we deny the promise that Jesus made when he conquered death and set us free from the second death wiich is eternal damnation and total seperation form his grace.
2007-11-27 11:39:40
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answer #9
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answered by StromCrow 1
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Absolutaly not!!! God wants it to be YOUR choice on weather to serve him...I, (Personally,) Think that It would be pretty idiotic to refuse Jesus/The trinity. I would Highly encourage U to get more into the word, U may find that Some,(Or even ALL,) Of it may be interesting!!! Here are a few links that Might help U,(This is an awesome website, U can look up a word & what Bible version U want & It will come up w/ all of the results,(Verses/Books,) In the Bible that have that word in them!!!!!) Anyway, Good luck w/ U'r faith & Hope that I helped!!!!!
2007-11-26 05:34:47
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answer #10
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answered by Anonymous
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