I am grateful to Christ Jesus our Lord, who has strengthened me, because he judged me faithful and appointed me to his service, even though I was formerly a blasphemer, a persecutor, and a man of violence.” vss. 12-13
1 Timothy 1:11-14
Our faith history is replete with stories of changed lives, and there is none more compelling than that of Paul, right back at the very beginning. At first an opponent of the Church, he became its greatest missionary and his teachings have been a blessing to us all. Paul’s experience left him grateful to Christ Jesus and reminds us that people can change for the good. By nature, we tend to be skeptical–we doubt that a leopard can change its spots and we’re quick to judge people by the actions of the past. The career of a politician can come to a screeching halt when the media resurrects old indiscretions or inappropriate actions. It is presumed that as a person once was, so they will always be. People doubted Paul too, but ultimately they came to realize that in Christ he really had changed. And it’s still happening! Because the grace of God is overwhelming and powerful, new hearts and spirits are created in God’s people every single day. Indeed, that’s the hope for all–we don’t have to continue as we have always been. We’re not stuck in some sort of genetic web that keeps us from changing. By the power and grace of God we can shed our old selves, put on the mind of Christ, and live loving lives.
Thought for the Day: Someone I know who has changed for good?
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