THE RADICAL TRANSFORMATION FROM ‘BAD BOY’ TO ‘JESUS BOY’
“Pastor, they have been making jest of me.” Those were his first words as he settled down to speak with me. I needed an explanation. This is a young convert who just gave his life to Christ and was growing in the faith. His concern got at me.
But I let out a smile, and he explained how some of those who knew him and his former lifestyle began to question how a bad boy can become a “Jesus boy.” They are surprised about how he suddenly took Christ and being a part of the local church seriously. The change was too drastic for them to understand it.
Wait a minute! Do you know that even Ananias, a disciple of Jesus Christ, argued with the Lord regarding the authenticity of Paul’s salvation? How can someone we got intel about yesterday that he was on his way to our city to persecute the church suddenly become a believer that even the Lord attests about his salvation? God even told Ananias that Paul was praying.
Friends, a touch of God’s grace can be a radical change. When it touched a woman who had an affair with six men at the well, it was a massive shift. The woman ran into the city to talk about the seventh man she just met! She announced to all the men, “I have found a man.” I think it was their curiosity that made the city come to see who the woman had found that got her so excited.
Never be ashamed of Jesus Christ and the change he has wrought in your life. I am also a sinner found by grace. Every saint has a past, and every sinner has a future. We all met at the junction called Grace. I was born in the house of a Pastor; however, being born in the house of God-fearing parents does not automatically make you God-fearing. Do you know any pastor’s kid that you really doubt if they know Christ or attended church?
But when grace found me, the same boy that sneaked pornographic materials into the house and was heavily bound by lust encountered the grace of God that changes a man. I had no more reason to pretend. I found the real deal.
What did I tell that young man? I told him the words of Jesus Christ, and I am saying the same to you:
“God blesses you when people mock you and persecute you and lie about you and say all sorts of evil things against you because you are my followers. Be happy about it! Be very glad! For a great reward awaits you in heaven. And remember, the ancient prophets were persecuted in the same way” (Matthew 5:11-12 NLT)
I follow Jesus Christ, and I am proud of it.
Will you say the same?