THE PEOPLE YOU CUT OFF WILL ALWAYS BRING UP YOUR PAST BECAUSE ACKNOWLEDGING YOUR GROWTH WOULD MEAN ADMITTING THAT GOD DID WHAT THEY COULDN’T: TRANSFORM YOU.
THEY REMEMBER WHO YOU WERE, NOT WHO GOD IS MAKING YOU. THEY CAN'T HANDLE THE FACT THAT GOD CHOSE YOU, REDEEMED YOU, AND IS USING YOU FOR HIS GLORY.
BUT DON’T BE SURPRISED—THEY DID IT TO PAUL, TOO.
“FOR YOU HAVE HEARD OF MY FORMER LIFE IN JUDAISM… BUT WHEN GOD, WHO HAD SET ME APART BEFORE I WAS BORN… WAS PLEASED TO REVEAL HIS SON TO ME…”
— GALATIANS 1:13,15–16
THEY’LL SAY, “I REMEMBER WHEN YOU USED TO…”
BUT GOD SAYS, “IF ANYONE IS IN CHRIST, HE IS A NEW CREATION. THE OLD HAS PASSED AWAY.” (2 COR. 5:17)
YOUR PAST IS A PLATFORM FOR GOD'S POWER—NOT THEIR PERMISSION.
YOU DON'T OWE THEM EXPLANATIONS. YOU OWE GOD YOUR OBEDIENCE.
STOP EXPLAINING WHAT GOD HAS EXPLAINED THROUGH GRACE.
STOP DEFENDING WHAT GOD HAS ALREADY FORGIVEN.
THEY CAN STAY STUCK IN YOUR HISTORY, BUT YOU’RE WALKING IN GOD’S DESTINY.
LET THEM TALK—YOU KEEP WALKING.
#Soldieroffaith
Reflecting on my own spiritual journey, I've come to understand deeply how transformative God's grace is when we step away from our past and embrace the new identity He offers. The image "AM NOT WHO I WAS BEFORE Soldier of" perfectly encapsulates this transformation—it's about leaving behind old versions of ourselves and allowing faith to guide us. It's common to encounter people who cling to our former selves, perhaps unintentionally, reminding us of who we once were instead of who we are becoming. This can feel like they’re trying to hold us back or diminish the change God is working in us. Yet, as mentioned in Galatians and 2 Corinthians, our true identity in Christ is a new creation; the old has truly passed away. When facing such challenges, I found strength in remembering that our past serves as a platform—not a permission slip—for God's power. I don't owe anyone explanations about my faith journey; what matters is my obedience to God. This mindset freed me to stop defending what God has forgiven and focus on living out the destiny that He has prepared. To those walking a similar path, my advice is to keep moving forward with confidence. Let others talk, but you keep walking in faith, knowing that God’s transformation in you is real and powerful. Your history doesn’t define you; His purpose does.