Conversion

Monday, August 30

Conversion   

But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong. 1 Corinthians 1:27

Of all the conversion stories in the Bible, none is greater than the conversion of the man called Saul of Tarsus. Raised a Jew, trained as a rabbi, he became a violent persecutor of the early Christian church. He hated Christ and his followers so much that he did his best to eradicate the new religion as if it were some sort of deadly virus.

Paul (once Saul) is a perfect example of how God can use just about anyone. Paul’s conversion is not just a story of hope, it is one we can identify with wholeheartedly. While we may not have persecuted the church, Sis. Sylvester gave some examples of lifestyles we are all too well familiar with yet still God uses us to promote His message of eternal life here on earth. Paul’s life tells us that conversion is possible for all (every single person) who believes. Why? Because Paul was (emphasis on the ‘was’) someone no one believed could be changed. We too encounter people and question whether God can use them and the answer to that is yes! God can use even the worst of the bad.

The believer’s journey is all about conversion. Everything we say and everything we believe is built upon one fundamental premise: You don’t have to stay the way you are. Your life can be radically changed by God. Conversion is a miracle that happens when the life of God intersects with human personality.

This is why Jesus came. For you and for sinners like me. Jesus still saves, He still converts, He still rescues men and women who knee deep in sin. There is no case too hopeless for the almighty God. The words of II Corinthians 5:17 are still true: “If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!”

Prayer for today: Jesus, I believe you love me. Please forgive me for my sins. Help me to be a better person. Amen.