Most of us feel regret for some of our past actions. At times, the memory can be overwhelming and we wonder if God can ever forgive us. Imagine Paul's shame - he was a blasphemer and persecutor of God's church. But wherever there has been human sin, God's grace has been working overtime. Paul was filled with wonder that the Lord's grace had overflowed for him with faith and love. Paul had acted in ignorance, as most of us do. The past is not important - only the future that God calls us to. God's grace overflows for each of us.

The knowledge that we have been forgiven much should keep us humble and non-judgmental. It is far too easy to criticize and condemn others, but the faults that we see in them are really our own that we are afraid to face. Our reactions to other people can be a mirror that reflects our own inner character back to us. We cannot guide someone else's life if our own is in chaos, nor can we correct the faults of others without first working on our own. Self-knowledge is the first step to true humility. The grace of Christ overflows just as much for others as for ourselves.