Monday, October 6, 2014

October 6, 2014

"For "Everyone who calls on the name of the LORD will be saved." Romans 10:13

This brings us to the fifth reason to believe in the existence of God:  transformed lives!



These radical transformations of scores of individual lives began with the proclamation of the Resurrection of Jesus and multiplied on the Day of Pentecost.

"When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call.”With many other words he warned them; and he pleaded with them, “Save yourselves from this corrupt generation.” Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day. Acts 2:37-41
Wow! 3,000 lives transformed in one day!
That's amazing! That's unprecedented in previous history!
But that was just the beginning!
"They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved." Acts 2:42-47
Church historians record that the Early Church grew to as many as 500,000 believers. The rapid  spiritual transformation of so many citizens of Jerusalem panicked the religious and political leaders to the extent that they began to stem the growth through persecutions.
Despite 21 centuries of intense opposition and savage persecutions of Christians, the rates of conversion to Christianity continues to increase world-wide.
My life has been transformed by Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit. It continues to be transformed by the power of a Resurrected Savior! And God works through my life to bring life transformation to others!
It is hard to argue with a life completely changed by faith in Jesus Christ! 
A person who lived in bondage to drugs places his faith in Jesus Christ and experiences a 180 degree transformation as he is delivered from addiction to drugs by Christ!
You know people who have had dramatic transformation because they "got religion" and you have a hard time denying their faith, don't you?
Have you had your life transformed by the power of Jesus Christ?
If not, let me remind you, "Everyone who calls on the name of the LORD will be saved.