We are known by our deeds, whether good or bad. (Proverbs 20:11 - Even a child is known by his doings, whether his work be pure, and whether it be right.) I tell this to my children frequently. We are always an example to someone, and we have to choose if we will be a good example or a bad example. Our choices affect how we are remembered by others. i.e. You know Don - he's the one who's always giving peppermints to the little children. Or you know Ann - she's the one who crochets a baby blanket for each baby born in the church. Or you know Saul - he's the one really persecuting Christians. I could go on, but I think you get the picture. How will you be known?
As normal people, we remember the good, the bad, and the ugly about others we meet. For instance, in our first apartment, about the only thing I remember about our neighbors was a lot of banging and a lot of arguing. I remember another woman who brought over cookies and sat and talked with me when I was sick. And the woman who is constantly whining. And the man who came and mowed my grass without being asked when our mower was broken. And the woman who commits to things yet never follows through.
See, we remember all kinds of things. God remembers the things we do as well. But his divine memory is way different from ours. He doesn't forget anything because He is omniscient. (I John 3:20 - For if our heart condemn us, God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things. John 21:17b - And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep.) That is, until we are forgiven. (Hebrews 8:12 - For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more.) Some people believe when one is forgiven, his slate is wiped clean, but that is not true according to the Bible. He forgives our sins and remembers them no more, but he doesn't forget the good things we've done. (Hebrews 6:10 - For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister.) I like this one-sided memory! Our list of sins is completely empty and clean while our list of good deeds continues to grow longer. That's grace!
Now I'm not suggesting that anyone can be saved by works. That's just not true according to Scripture either. (Ephesians 2:8-10 - For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them. Titus 3:5 - Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;) Our faith saves us by causing us to do good works. Without these good works, we have a dead faith. Dead faith does nothing. Even the demons believed and trembled. (James 2:17-20 - Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works. Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble. But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?)
After our sins are washed away through baptism, we are totally forgiven and justified. (Acts 13:39 - And by him all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses. Titus 3:7 - That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.) Someone (Larry Treadwell) once explained being justified like this: Justified = Just as if I'd never done it. Our faith prods us to do more and more. When we do make a mistake and sin, we are covered by this awesome grace. (Romans 3:23-25 - For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God; Romans 5:1-2 - Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. Romans 5:9 - Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.) Still, sins 0, good works still rising. Even the least little good deed that probably goes unnoticed here will be remembered by God. There's just not a sin too big to be forgiven by God if we go to Him in faith and obedience!
I don't know about you, but this is a great comfort to me. I am so thankful that because of Christ's blood, I can have all my terrible sins forgiven and forgotten and all my good things remembered for all eternity. How great is God!
