n the 14th chapter of Acts, verse 27, we read these words: “And when they (the apostle Paul and Barnabas) were come (to Antioch), and had gathered the church together, they rehearsed all that God had done with them, and how He had opened the door of faith unto the Gentiles.” And in the 16th verse of that same chapter, we read these words, “(God) in times past suffered (permitted, allowed) ALL NATIONS to walk in their own ways.” Century after century for hundreds and hundreds of years a full the people of India were permitted by God to accept, believe and practice Hinduism. God had sent no prophet, not one, to India to inform these unwary and unsuspecting people that they had been duped. Throughout the African continent various and sundry nations of dark-skinned people had long embraced a plethora of tribal religions.. Multiplied millions around the globe were born, lived out their lifespans – some lasting a few days, some lasting many decades – yet living and dying having no knowledge whatsoever of the Bible, Jesus’ life and death, or the possibility that human beings could be granted immortality and eternal life by their Creator. Yet God’s Word says Jesus Christ died for each and every one of them. and that “Jesus Christ, by the grace of God, tasted death FOR EVERY MAN! (See Hebrews 2:9), that He is “not willing that ANY should perish, but that ALL should come to repentance.” (See 2 Peter 3:9). It was my teaching of this great truth that prompted what I now describe:
Several years ago a local “theologian” saw it as his duty to stop my effectiveness as one who spoke the divine truths of God by revealing that I had once been addicted to dope. (I had shared with him this human failure that I had experienced years before). I wrote him a letter. Here is an excerpt from that letter. “In Romans 8, verse 33, we read, ‘Who shall lay ANYTHING to the charge of God’s elect? It is God that justifies.’ Forgiven men and women are to follow their Lord’s example and remember their sins no more. (See Jeremiah 31:34). Once God has justified an individual, no one is to dare lay anything to their charge regarding their past behavior. (See Romans 8:33). God says that He, Himself, will not remember such acts and behavior. (See Jeremiah 31:34). How dare some dust of the earth sinful human do so!? We tread on extremely dangerous ground when we seek to ferret out the past sins of the redeemed sons of God. I have seen God move dramatically and swiftly against those who do such, causing me to pray fervently that God would remove His heavy hand of judgment from them. We are to forget those days of failure and acts of disobedience that are behind us and to go on to spiritual and moral perfection. (See Philippians 3:13-15).” The gentleman fell desperately ill shortly thereafter and backed off.
Brethren, there is a spiritual graveyard where God has buried all your past sins and failures if you be in Christ. And when someone takes a spade and begins unearthing those sins and failures, turning over the dirt and saying to others, “Come, look and see” they instantly become a bona fide, dyed-in-the-wool agent of Satan whoever they may be. They are then fully accusers of the brethren and are ripe for God’s harshest judgment. God help you to understand.
Christ’s Faithful Servant (Galatians 1:10-12),
Donald Wiley