So, It's Hopeless?
"Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners - of whom I am the worst."
- 1 Timothy 1:15
We all have people we know, or know of, who seem beyond salvation. People who have lifestyles so far away from God there is apparently no hope. We fear they will never come to Him, or even be accepted by Him if they do. I know of people who have been prayed for in time measured by decades, not weeks or months. Many of these people don't seem any closer than they were at the beginning. We wonder if there is any hope. Sometimes we wonder that about ourselves also. How could God want association, let alone a relationship, with someone who has done the things I've done?
That's why Paul and his writings fascinate me. Of all people, why Paul? He was the FBI's #1 enemy to the cause of Christ. Hunted Christians down like dogs, had them punished, arrested, even killed for their faith. A complete lack of any kind of respect for our Savior. Hated Him and all those who loved Him. And yet, God chose Paul to be the recipient of a magnificent transformation through an encounter with the living Christ. Not only that, he became a missionary, author of numerous books of the Bible, and a voice to the Gentiles of salvation. Paul has probably had more influence over Christians throughout time than anyone except Jesus Himself. I am sure there were very few during Paul's crusade against Christians who thought there was ANY chance he would ever become a Christian. But God had a very important lesson for us in Paul's salvation and ministry. I believe He wanted to show us that anyone, ANYONE, could be transformed and used by the power of the Son. That meeting Jesus can change even the most hardened sinner. That there is hope for anyone through Jesus.
We as a culture are sometimes skeptical about really hardened people accepting the gift of salvation. We see people in prison claiming to have had miraculous salvation experiences while serving their sentence. They claim to be changed and "religious" now. We wonder how that can be possible, and many times they don't get out of prison so we can see if there is true meaning to their claims. After all, how could someone capable of the act of murder or a hundred other ugly sins be able to turn to Jesus? Seems unlikely. And yet, while walking down a road headed to Damascus, in search of Christians to return to prison in Jerusalem, he had an encounter with Christ. Paul's story shows us the possibility. God's love and power can overcome any sin, if the sinner lets it happen.
I decided to look into other lives, those closer to or part of our own time, to see if I could find some of those miraculous conversions. Present day evidence of unexpected salvations. True evidence of Jesus' power over sin expressed in our time. And boy, did I find some wonderful examples. Many of these examples you already know about, but I think it is appropriate to revisit them here.
First of all, what does the word 'miracle' mean? Sometimes we use this word to describe things that really aren't miracles at all. The definition of the word is:
"A surprising and welcome event that is not explicable by natural or scientific laws and is therefore considered to be the work of a divine agency."
So, even though I consider the births of all my grandchildren as miracles, they aren't by definition miracles. We can explain the event by natural laws. A miracle simply can't be explained. There is no logic to it. It's happening due to some unseen force. These people's experiences can be defined as miracles.
My favorite hymn is "Amazing Grace". To me it expresses the very essence of Christianity. It has spoken to Christians for many, many years. It has brought tears to the eyes of grateful men and women. And yet, this song was written by a very "hopeless" sinner. John Newton was a constant problem to those around him, and at one time held as a slave as punishment. He later became a slave trafficker himself, buying and selling human beings. At one time he seriously contemplated murder of a ship's captain who had him beaten. Yet, while on a ship that was sinking, Newton called out to God. He eventually became a clergyman, songwriter, and abolitionist. An amazing transformation.
Lee Strobel is a journalist who was also an atheist. When his wife became a Christian, Lee began to do research to prove her wrong. His research caused him to ultimately become a believer. His journey is related in "The Case for Christ". It's an amazing story, and one we all should read.
One of my favorite conversion stories is of Charles Colson. He was called President Nixon's "hatchet man", and was the first member of Watergate to be put in prison. In 1973 he was given a copy of C.S. Lewis' "Mere Christianity", and at that time he surrendered to Christ. His life was completely tranformed, and he spent the remainder of his life working for and devoted to our Lord. He began a prison ministry, spoke any time he had the chance, and founded "Chuck Colson Center for Christian Worldview," dedicated to promoting truth, equiping Christian leaders, and promoting collaboration among Christians. He died less than 2 years ago, but was actively working for the cause of Christ until his death.
Other miraculous salvations include William J. Murray, the son of outspoken atheist Madelyn Murray O'Hare, and founder of American Atheists. Ms. Murray is credited with taking prayer out of public schools, yet her son became a Christian and Baptist minister in his late 30's. His mother then disowned him, claiming this to be a postnatal abortion, and saying his conversion was unforgivable. Another person famous for changing the course of history is Norma McCorvey. She was Jane Roe in the famous Roe v. Wade Supreme Court case legalizing abortion. Ms. McCorvey subsequently became a Christian and began working for the Pro-Life movement. She is the founder of 'Roe No More' ministry, a pro-life ministry in Dallas. Kirk Cameron, the actor who played on 'Growing Pains' was an atheist until he was 17 or 18. After his salvation, he has become an active worker for Christ, starring in two important Christian movies, "Left Behind" and "Fireproof". He continues to work for more Christian movie productions. He never fails to proclaim his faith when given the opportunity, which is not a popular thing in Hollywood as we know.
Probably the one conversion I liked reading about the best was that of Dr. Frances Collins, head of the Human DNA project. Dr. Collins became an atheist during his study as an adult. When he changed his course of study to medical science, he set out to prove atheism correct for a "thinking" person. Strangely, the more he investigated, the more he found he couldn't deny the source of life. After a 2 year period of searching and continually trying to disprove faith, Dr. Collins became a born again Christian during a hike on a fall afternoon. He describes himself as a "serious Christian."
So there you have it. All the people I mentioned, beginning with Paul, are unlikely Christians. Atheists, actors, Christian persecutors, militant policy changers. People who were looked upon as hopeless for salvation. And yet, they were met by a merciful God who seeks all of us and loves us unconditionally. There is nothing, NOTHING, He won't forgive. And there is no one He won't seek.
So for that friend or that family member you've been praying for.......remember this! God gave us Paul's example to show us how powerful His salvation is. And, if we didn't learn enough from that, He gave us current examples all around us of the MIRACLE He can accomplish in hopeless situations. Don't give up. Keep praying. It's never hopeless. Not with our miracle working God still alive and well and working toward this goal:
"The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead, he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish,, but everyone to come to repentance."
-2 Peter 3:9
He wants us all. Every one of us. Something good to remember, especially when we're tempted to quit praying for that person. Don't give up. Don't ever give up. Nothing, NO ONE, is hopeless.
- 1 Timothy 1:15
We all have people we know, or know of, who seem beyond salvation. People who have lifestyles so far away from God there is apparently no hope. We fear they will never come to Him, or even be accepted by Him if they do. I know of people who have been prayed for in time measured by decades, not weeks or months. Many of these people don't seem any closer than they were at the beginning. We wonder if there is any hope. Sometimes we wonder that about ourselves also. How could God want association, let alone a relationship, with someone who has done the things I've done?
That's why Paul and his writings fascinate me. Of all people, why Paul? He was the FBI's #1 enemy to the cause of Christ. Hunted Christians down like dogs, had them punished, arrested, even killed for their faith. A complete lack of any kind of respect for our Savior. Hated Him and all those who loved Him. And yet, God chose Paul to be the recipient of a magnificent transformation through an encounter with the living Christ. Not only that, he became a missionary, author of numerous books of the Bible, and a voice to the Gentiles of salvation. Paul has probably had more influence over Christians throughout time than anyone except Jesus Himself. I am sure there were very few during Paul's crusade against Christians who thought there was ANY chance he would ever become a Christian. But God had a very important lesson for us in Paul's salvation and ministry. I believe He wanted to show us that anyone, ANYONE, could be transformed and used by the power of the Son. That meeting Jesus can change even the most hardened sinner. That there is hope for anyone through Jesus.
We as a culture are sometimes skeptical about really hardened people accepting the gift of salvation. We see people in prison claiming to have had miraculous salvation experiences while serving their sentence. They claim to be changed and "religious" now. We wonder how that can be possible, and many times they don't get out of prison so we can see if there is true meaning to their claims. After all, how could someone capable of the act of murder or a hundred other ugly sins be able to turn to Jesus? Seems unlikely. And yet, while walking down a road headed to Damascus, in search of Christians to return to prison in Jerusalem, he had an encounter with Christ. Paul's story shows us the possibility. God's love and power can overcome any sin, if the sinner lets it happen.
I decided to look into other lives, those closer to or part of our own time, to see if I could find some of those miraculous conversions. Present day evidence of unexpected salvations. True evidence of Jesus' power over sin expressed in our time. And boy, did I find some wonderful examples. Many of these examples you already know about, but I think it is appropriate to revisit them here.
First of all, what does the word 'miracle' mean? Sometimes we use this word to describe things that really aren't miracles at all. The definition of the word is:
"A surprising and welcome event that is not explicable by natural or scientific laws and is therefore considered to be the work of a divine agency."
So, even though I consider the births of all my grandchildren as miracles, they aren't by definition miracles. We can explain the event by natural laws. A miracle simply can't be explained. There is no logic to it. It's happening due to some unseen force. These people's experiences can be defined as miracles.
My favorite hymn is "Amazing Grace". To me it expresses the very essence of Christianity. It has spoken to Christians for many, many years. It has brought tears to the eyes of grateful men and women. And yet, this song was written by a very "hopeless" sinner. John Newton was a constant problem to those around him, and at one time held as a slave as punishment. He later became a slave trafficker himself, buying and selling human beings. At one time he seriously contemplated murder of a ship's captain who had him beaten. Yet, while on a ship that was sinking, Newton called out to God. He eventually became a clergyman, songwriter, and abolitionist. An amazing transformation.
Lee Strobel is a journalist who was also an atheist. When his wife became a Christian, Lee began to do research to prove her wrong. His research caused him to ultimately become a believer. His journey is related in "The Case for Christ". It's an amazing story, and one we all should read.
One of my favorite conversion stories is of Charles Colson. He was called President Nixon's "hatchet man", and was the first member of Watergate to be put in prison. In 1973 he was given a copy of C.S. Lewis' "Mere Christianity", and at that time he surrendered to Christ. His life was completely tranformed, and he spent the remainder of his life working for and devoted to our Lord. He began a prison ministry, spoke any time he had the chance, and founded "Chuck Colson Center for Christian Worldview," dedicated to promoting truth, equiping Christian leaders, and promoting collaboration among Christians. He died less than 2 years ago, but was actively working for the cause of Christ until his death.
Other miraculous salvations include William J. Murray, the son of outspoken atheist Madelyn Murray O'Hare, and founder of American Atheists. Ms. Murray is credited with taking prayer out of public schools, yet her son became a Christian and Baptist minister in his late 30's. His mother then disowned him, claiming this to be a postnatal abortion, and saying his conversion was unforgivable. Another person famous for changing the course of history is Norma McCorvey. She was Jane Roe in the famous Roe v. Wade Supreme Court case legalizing abortion. Ms. McCorvey subsequently became a Christian and began working for the Pro-Life movement. She is the founder of 'Roe No More' ministry, a pro-life ministry in Dallas. Kirk Cameron, the actor who played on 'Growing Pains' was an atheist until he was 17 or 18. After his salvation, he has become an active worker for Christ, starring in two important Christian movies, "Left Behind" and "Fireproof". He continues to work for more Christian movie productions. He never fails to proclaim his faith when given the opportunity, which is not a popular thing in Hollywood as we know.
Probably the one conversion I liked reading about the best was that of Dr. Frances Collins, head of the Human DNA project. Dr. Collins became an atheist during his study as an adult. When he changed his course of study to medical science, he set out to prove atheism correct for a "thinking" person. Strangely, the more he investigated, the more he found he couldn't deny the source of life. After a 2 year period of searching and continually trying to disprove faith, Dr. Collins became a born again Christian during a hike on a fall afternoon. He describes himself as a "serious Christian."
So there you have it. All the people I mentioned, beginning with Paul, are unlikely Christians. Atheists, actors, Christian persecutors, militant policy changers. People who were looked upon as hopeless for salvation. And yet, they were met by a merciful God who seeks all of us and loves us unconditionally. There is nothing, NOTHING, He won't forgive. And there is no one He won't seek.
So for that friend or that family member you've been praying for.......remember this! God gave us Paul's example to show us how powerful His salvation is. And, if we didn't learn enough from that, He gave us current examples all around us of the MIRACLE He can accomplish in hopeless situations. Don't give up. Keep praying. It's never hopeless. Not with our miracle working God still alive and well and working toward this goal:
"The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead, he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish,, but everyone to come to repentance."
-2 Peter 3:9
He wants us all. Every one of us. Something good to remember, especially when we're tempted to quit praying for that person. Don't give up. Don't ever give up. Nothing, NO ONE, is hopeless.
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