“He will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.’” (Matt. 25:41)
BOB WAS SURPRISED when his coworker, Evan, cornered him privately in the hallway. “How can you complain about anyone using their break time to look at adult websites? A couple years ago, I caught you doing the same thing.”
Bob replied, “I’d tell you that time changes everything, but that’s not true. Actually, it’s Jesus who changes everything.” Bob then told Evan about the toll pornography took on his life, and how he learned that Christ was able both to forgive sin and transform habits and desires in order to help him live in a way that pleases God. “I switched sides, Evan. I once defended sin—including pornography. Then I heard the gospel, and God brought me from darkness to light.”
Evan, knowing the pain that sin brought into his own life, said, “Tell me more.”
The gospel of Christ allows a sinner to switch sides. All that is necessary on his or her part is to walk away from sin and receive the forgiveness God offers. And once they’re in the family of God, believers can demonstrate their newfound faith by living lives of holiness and love, both avoiding things that displease God (sin in all its forms) and doing things that bring Him glory, like giving to those in need, visiting the sick, and ministering to those who are incarcerated.
If you haven’t already, switch sides today.
Paul Zinter serves as a substitute teacher. He enjoys writing, bread making, and teaching at his local church.
© 2018 Wesleyan Publishing House. Reprinted from Light from the Word. Used by permission.
