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Somewhere along life's highway, we often forget the condition in which Christ found us. We start thinking, "I'm alright, I'm good, I'm going to heaven," but we live in a mess while on our way there. We forget the love and blessings Christ has bestowed upon us, and we begin to turn away from Him. Thankfully, when we turn away from Christ, He doesn't turn away from us.

What Happens When We Forget Where We Came From?

One of the scariest things in life is forgetting where we came from and the condition God found us in. No matter how bad we were, God reached down into a horrible pit, pulled us out, and planted our feet on solid rock. Whether you were saved 50 years ago, 60 years ago, or just last week, don't forget what God has done for you.

God saved you and changed your life for a purpose. He wants you to be someone that others can see a difference in. Sometimes, we need to look back and remember where God saved us from and how He changed our lives.

What Can We Learn from the Story of the Ten Lepers?

In the biblical story of the ten lepers, only one returned to thank Jesus after being healed. This man realized three important things:

1. He Remembered the Condition of His Sickness

The Samaritan leper who returned to Jesus understood that his physical pain, emotional pain, and religious uncleanness had been taken from him. Though Jews looked at Samaritans as "dogs," to God, he was a child of God.

People may say things about us and accuse us of things, but what matters most is that we are God's children. If you don't know Jesus as your personal Savior, you can come to Him just as you are.

2. He Realized the Compassion of His Saviour

When this man turned back, ran to Jesus, fell down, and worshiped Him, he was acknowledging the compassion Jesus had shown. Jesus didn't question how he got leprosy or suggest he deserved his condition. Jesus simply had compassion on him and loved him where he was.

As Christians, we often want to transform new believers into what we are in 30 minutes, when it took us 25 years to get where we are—and we're still flawed. We need to accept people where they are and allow God's compassion to work through us, not worrying about their past failures but helping them get closer to Jesus.

A Personal Story of God's Healing Compassion

I remember during my first year of Bible College when I became severely ill. After returning home and seeing a doctor, I was diagnosed with late-stage leukemia. My pastor anointed me with oil and prayed for healing, following the biblical instruction for the sick.

Later that day, when I went to see the cancer specialist, they ran more tests and were baffled. The doctor said, "Something happened between this morning and this evening. The blood work is showing something totally different now." It wasn't my faith or even my pastor's faith that healed me. It was obedience to what God told us to do.

That day, I realized how compassionate God was toward me. He saved me from my sin, from myself, and from my sickness.

3. He Rejoiced in the Cleansing of His Skin

We're all guilty of asking God to do something for us, and when He does it, we fail to look back and praise Him. Many people think they need to change themselves before coming to God, but God wants us with all our "junk." He wants us to come to Him just as we are.

When God transforms our lives, we can then stand and say, "God changed my life. God saved my marriage. God helped me financially. God helped me out of all the muck I was in." God gave us strength and mercy because He cleansed us and changed us.

Out of the ten lepers that were cleansed, only one turned back to give thanks to Jesus. That particular leper was not only cleansed but was converted and comforted.

Life Application

No matter what's going on in your life, God accepts you right where you are. Will you let Him change your life? Here are some questions to reflect on this week:

  • Have I forgotten the condition God found me in when He saved me?
  • Do I regularly express gratitude for God's compassion and healing in my life?
  • Am I showing the same compassion to others that Jesus showed to me, accepting them where they are?
  • In what areas of my life do I need to surrender and allow God's cleansing power to work?

This week, take time to remember where God found you and what He has done in your life. Then, like the one leper who returned, fall at Jesus' feet in gratitude and worship. Share God's compassion with someone who needs acceptance rather than judgment. Remember that God doesn't want you to clean yourself up before coming to Him—He wants to do the cleansing work in you, so all the glory goes to Him.