Last updated on August 28th, 2024 at 06:11 pm
Beyond Salvation? Absolutely Not!
Was out with some friends when I passed by a group of Christian folks preaching and sharing tracts. While waiting for our cab to pull up, we got carried away by their conversation that had become louder and quite interesting.
In between laughing and speaking, one of the ladies went: “Not only did I grow up learning all about your Jesus, I’ve done literally everything that could piss him off. You better save your breath for better people cos I’m on my way to hell. And these muthafvckers I call friends would definitely be there, so it should be fun ei!”
Surprisingly, those with her cackled like she had just spoken their minds. At this point, our ride had pulled up and throughout the drive, I couldn’t stop thinking.
Question is, how many people feel this way? Or better yet….do you feel this way? Is there a chance you think you’re beyond saving? Like you don’t deserve forgiveness? Or love?
Have you ever looked at yourself and wondered if there could possibly be another chance for someone like you? Maybe you’ve made mistakes you can’t seem to shake off, or perhaps your past haunts you like a familiar ghost.
Hey, there’s hope. Tons of it. Cos God’s love stretches that far.
Don’t think so? Let’s check out these crazy turnaround stories from Scripture.
Apostle Paul’s Radical Transformation
Paul was the all-time mean jerk. He enjoyed torturing Christians and was on his way to another killing spree when God’s grace found him.
Before his dramatic conversion on the road to Damascus, Paul (then known as Saul) had just consented to the stoning of Stephen right after raiding Christian households, dragging off men and women to jail.
(Check out Acts 8 for more context)
His reputation was so bad that when God told Ananias to go pray for him, Ananias initially refused, reminding God of all the awful things that he had done. God literally persuaded Ananias to go by letting him in on how Paul had been chosen to be God’s special messenger. (See Acts 9:15)
True to God’s plan, Paul went on to become one of the most influential figures in Christian history, authoring much of the New Testament, preaching the gospel of Christ amongst both Gentiles and Jews and standing before kings.
God took a man who was vehemently opposed to the gospel and transformed him into one of His most passionate advocates. Paul’s life shows us that no matter how far we stray, we’re never outside of the embrace of God’s grace.
The Samaritan Woman at the Well
You see, this woman was a free-bird to put it mildly. Conservatives of today would probably call her a slut. But considering the way things were back then, it actually gets deeper.
Let’s understand these three things about the period in time and cultural views in question:
- Females were the lesser gender. What a man would be simply judged for, a woman would be greatly scorned.
- Sex was such a huge deal! If it wasn’t between partners, you were tagged as filthy and isolated.
- Marriage was a one-time transaction, and divorcees were forbidden to remarry except their former partners were no longer alive.
- Samaritans were a tribe of people who were seen by the Jews as lesser people and discriminated against.
So, imagine someone – not just someone, but a SAMARITAN WOMAN – who had married five whole husbands! Meaning, she had been known to be sexually active with one, two, three, four, five, different men! To cap it up, the man she was currently with was not her husband! Meaning, with this sixth man, she wasn’t even protected by the sacred covenant of marriage.
According to John 4, Jesus interacted with this lady at a public well where she came to draw water. He showed her that she wasn’t her past, and offered her a chance at redemption and a new beginning. And she became a confident person worth listening to even by the Jews!
P.s: Go read the full story already!
The Bible is laced with many more of such stories!
We could talk all day about how a betrayer and extortionist aka “the tax collector” received forgiveness and got drafted into Jesus’ inner circle (Luke 18:9-14), how Moses was transformed from murder to deliverer (see Exodus ), and ultimately, how much validation God placed on us when he paid the ultimate price to give us a chance at redemption!
What many don’t realise is, salvation wasn’t cheap; it took the life and blood of Jesus. And it was all because of you. That’s how worthy you really are. That’s how deep God’s love for you goes.
(Meditate on John 3:16 for clearer insight)
Conclusion
No man or woman is too irredeemable for a God who isn’t interested in condemning anyone. What He offers is the sure promise of a fresh start (see Isaiah 1:18).
In 2 Corinthians 5:17, we see what a new identity in Christ would look like. Embracing this new identity means understanding that your past no longer defines you, sincerely confessing your errors, and then receiving the gift of salvation by inviting Jesus into your heart.
You might feel like a stained canvas, but God is the ultimate artist, capable of transforming your life into a masterpiece.
There is hope for you.
