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  WHEN WE REMEMBER
  by George Matheson
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Summary: The memory of our past shortcomings is a gift from God, given
to us after we have scaled the height and stood upon the mountain's
brow.

Topics: "Transformation", "Grace and Redemption"
Scripture References: Ezekiel 36:26

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DESCRIPTION
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George Matheson emphasizes that true remembrance of our past sins comes
only after we have received a new heart from God. He explains that the
process of transformation leads us to reflect on our previous
wrongdoings only after we have experienced spiritual renewal and growth.
This memory serves as a reminder of God's grace and the journey we have
taken from sin to redemption. Matheson encourages believers to focus on
moving forward and pressing toward the prize, with the understanding
that reflection on past failures is a gift that comes later in our
spiritual walk. Ultimately, he highlights the importance of recognizing
our past to appreciate the depth of God's mercy.

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CONTENT
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"A new heart also will I give you. Then shall ye remember your own evil
ways"

(Ezek. 36:26,31).

The prophet says that the memory of our badness only comes after we have
become good. "A new heart will I give you; then shall ye remember your
own evil ways." One would have expected the opposite statement. We
should have looked for such words as these: "You must expect for a
little to be troubled with old memories. You must not be surprised, when
you are in the first stage of reformation, to experience the remorse of
conscience for bad deeds in the past. When your new nature is complete,
when the weaning process is over, when you become accustomed to the corn
of the land, you will forget all about your struggles and failures; you
will remember your shortcomings no more." The prophet says it is only
then you will remember them. He says the valleys of your life will not
become visible until you have scaled the height and stood upon the
mountain's brow. And truly he is right; experience cries "Amen!" The
memory of sin is the latest gift of my Father. His earliest gifts are
incentives to move forward; they rather discourage a retrospective view.
God says to the beginner, "Forget the things which are behind; press
toward the mark of the prize!" But when the mark of the prize is won,
when the top of the hill is gained, then for the first time He says,
"Look back!" Then, for the first time, memory wakes, and our yesterday
appears; and the valley of the past looks lowly and the shadows of the
past seem deep. We beat upon our breast and say, "O wretched man that I
am!"

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Source: https://sermonindex.net/speakers/george-matheson/when-we-remember/
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