He Used To Steal From The Purse…

He Used to Steal From The Purse…

How do you want to be remembered?    As a thief,  liar,  or adulterer?    How about as a greedy,  complaining,  unthankful  or slanderous person?

How is Judas remembered?    Everyone immediately thinks of a betrayer.    The disciples sadly remembered that he stole from the common purse.

It is believed that Psalm 109 refers to Judas.    Verse 17 says,  “He also loved cursing,  so it came to him;  and he did not delight in blessing,  so it was far from him.”    If living with Jesus for three years didn’t change Judas, there probably wasn’t much hope.

But, what about active Christians today,  who steal,  lie,  commit sexual misdeeds,  are greedy,  argumentative  and disparaging?    They’ve been listening to the gospel for years,  but the love of God has not changed their hearts or ways.

Even if nobody else remembers us after we have passed from this life,  God surely will.    We don’t have to become a household word like “Judas” to be remembered by our Lord.    So, how do we want God Almighty to remember us?

Do we want to be remembered like Cain,  Esau,  Saul,  Ahab,  or Jeroboam?    They were all devious, defiant,  ungodly,  unbelieving,  unthankful  and hard-hearted.    They all had knowledge of the LORD,  like many people today know about God.    But, they didn’t want to be God’s child.

Wouldn’t it be wonderful to be remembered as having a heart like David,  the faith of Abraham,  the humbleness of Isaiah,  the perseverance of Jeremiah,  the devotion of Daniel,  the love of the apostle John,  the zeal of Paul.    The list could go on and on.

Hebrews 11 gives a long list of people who were heroes for God.    Whenever we are tempted to be what we shouldn’t be,  it’s good to remember that others before us have gone through a lot more,  and yet remained faithful,  thankful  and loving.

So Hebrews 12:1-2 tells us,

“Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us,  let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us,  and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,  fixing our eyes on Jesus,  the author and perfecter of faith,  who for the joy set before Him endured the cross,  despising the shame,  and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”

There are so many that have shown us the beauty of faith and faithfulness.    How they have lived is far more admirable than the list that is remembered for their ungodliness and unbelief.

The Bible gives accounts of people remembered either for their faith or their unbelief.    There we can see how God has dearly loved all of them — the good and the bad.    Our Lord has been gracious and caring towards each and every one.

Time after time God extended His grace even to those who did not trust or believe Him.    We can read about how they never gave thanks  or learned to trust the Lord after receiving their blessings.    Instead,  they would grumble and say things like, 

“Because the LORD hates us,  He has brought us out of the land of Egypt to deliver us into the hand of the Amorites to destroy us.”  (Deuteronomy 1:27)

It was those who gave thanks and praise that learned to trust God more each day.    They are remembered for saying things like Psalm 107:1-2, 

“Oh give thanks to the LORD,  for He is good;  for His lovingkindness is everlasting.    Let the redeemed of the LORD say so,  whom He has redeemed from the hand of the adversary.”

What a difference in attitude!    All faced similar problems.    All were loved by God.    Some are remembered for bitterness towards God in the midst of challenges.    Others are remembered for their growth in faith and love.

Philippians 4:6-7 encouragingly says, 

“Be anxious for nothing,  but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.    And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension,  shall guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

Will we be remembered for thankful,  faithful hearts?

Love,   Margaret