Romans 3:23 English Standard Version (ESV) for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,

The last thing any of us want is to have our past thrown in our faces daily. Our past mistakes are lessons learned. We may instruct others about avoiding the consequences we ourselves have suffered. We do not have to be specific in detail to witness the errors of our ways.

What we did might not even be illegal. Even if illegal, perhaps the statutes of limitations has expired and confession will not result in an arrest. Even if we have not sought the Lord’s forgiveness, even if we have not confession and been saved, we still do not deserved to be hounded by others.

People change and if there is information out there for others to find that is no reason why people should examine the past to find fault where none exists today. The reason I speak to this issue at this present time is because there is a large number of individuals who prey upon the weak and defenseless.

If a person has regret for the past then that is a sign for the offer of salvation. Forgiveness can be found. Since it is our responsibility to spread the gospel then our behavior in doing so must be in meekness in offering a gracious hand. We should never allow our words to be used to keep the lost from seeking God.

Romans 14:13 English Standard Version (ESV)

Do Not Cause Another to Stumble

¹³ Therefore let us not pass judgment on one another any longer, but rather decide never to put a stumbling block or hindrance in the way of a brother.

The same can be said for anyone, not just a brother.

Matthew 18:5-6 English Standard Version (ESV)

⁵ “Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me, ⁶ but whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a great millstone fastened around his neck and to be drowned in the depth of the sea.

Numbers 18:13 English Standard Version (ESV)

¹³ The first ripe fruits of all that is in their land, which they bring to the Lord, shall be yours. Everyone who is clean in your house may eat it.

John 6:35 English Standard Version (ESV)

³⁵ Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst.

Matthew 26:26 English Standard Version (ESV)

Institution of the Lord’s Supper

²⁶ Now as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and after blessing it broke it and gave it to the disciples, and said, “Take, eat; this is my body.”

Galatians 5:22a English Standard Version (ESV) But the fruit of the Spirit is love,

Exodus 13:2a English Standard Version (ESV) Consecrate to me all the firstborn.

All these verses work together to identify Jesus Christ as the first fruit of the Spirit, love. God is love, Jesus is God, Jesus is love. We have consecrate to ourselves His body in partaking of His body, the bread of life. The love produced by the Spirit is perfect love and not any other kind of love. It is perfect as He is perfect.

We tell ourselves that we do not love that perfectly and we are right. That does not dismiss the fact that perfect love resides in our hearts and used of the Spirit that produced it. The Spirit is also God, also love, and perfect in enacting God’s will.

Ephesians 5:2 English Standard Version (ESV) And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.

2 Corinthians 5:7 English Standard Version (ESV) for we walk by faith, not by sight.

Walking by faith is walking in love for Christ is both love and faithfulness.