Saturday, December 22, 2018

The Transforming Saviour

by Dr. Paul Chappell

And they which heard it, being convicted by their own conscience, went out one by one, beginning at the eldest, even unto the last: and Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst. When Jesus had lifted up himself, and saw none but the woman, he said unto her, Woman, where are those thine accusers? hath no man condemned thee? She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more.

John 8:9-11

Dr. R. A. Torrey told the story of a man who visited his office in Minnesota. Torrey was not present, but his assistant, George Sanborn was present. Torrey recounted: “Mr. Sanborn is not a large man, and the Scandinavian [guest] was a big, burly fellow. He rushed towards Mr. Sanborn as if he were going to do him personal violence. Though small, Mr. Sanborn was fearless. He sprang to his feet and said, What do you want?’ ‘I want sympathy,’ the man cried. ‘No,’ said Mr. Sanborn, ‘you want Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ and Jesus Christ alone can help you.’ Mr. Sanborn explained to him the way of life and he accepted the Saviour. On the following Christmas Day at our testimony service, this man arose and said, ‘I am so happy today. This is the first sober Christmas that I have spent in ten years. Jesus Christ has saved me.’

Christ did not come into the world to leave us as we were. All those who met Him during His life on earth were changed. Some believed His message and were saved. Many were delivered from sickness and demons that had tormented them. Some were even raised from the dead. Others were hardened by their refusal to believe that a lowly carpenter from Nazareth could possibly be the Messiah they had waited for to come and deliver them. No one who truly sees the Christ of Christmas will ever be the same.

Today’s Growth Principle: 

The transformation worked by God’s grace in our lives should be visible to all who know us.