I enjoy reading or hearing about an individual who was at a very low point in their life, a point where they felt their life couldn’t get any worse. They felt ashamed, and even embarrassed of their past. But because of God’s love, and because they had repented and accepted a personal relationship with Jesus they began to live a changed life and were able to let go and learn from their past.
In Acts, chapters 8 and 9, a man named Saul persecuted the church. Acts 8:3 says, “But Saul began to destroy the church. Going from house to house, he dragged off men and women and put them in prison.” In chapter 9, he continues on the same course until Jesus asks Saul in Acts 9:4, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?” God caused Saul to lose his sight for a short time, but eventually regained it and dedicated his life to serving the Lord. Jesus said in Acts 9:15, “ This man is my chosen instrument to carry my name before the Gentiles and their kings and before the people of Israel.”
This sinful man became the apostle Paul. He was a man with a horrible past, but because of the Lord’s grace he was a changed man. In 1 Timothy 1:14-15, Paul says, “The grace of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst.”
God’s awesome grace is available to us all. No matter what decisions we have made or what has happened in our lives, God is still there waiting for us. We just have to confess our sins to him and believe in our hearts and say with our lips that Jesus is our Lord and Savior (Romans 10:9). God forgives our sins and transgressions. They are gone. Psalm 103:12 says, “as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.” Now that is awesome grace! —Jeff Hertel
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