The Transformative Power of God

Acts 26:4-8. 

“4 All the Jews know my way of life from my youth, a life spent from the beginning among my own people and in Jerusalem. 5 They have known for a long time, if they are willing to testify, that I have belonged to the strictest sect of our religion and lived as a Pharisee. 6 And now I stand here on trial on account of my hope in the promise made by God to our ancestors, 7 a promise that our twelve tribes hope to attain, as they earnestly worship day and night. It is for this hope, your Excellency, that I am accused by Jews! 8 Why is it thought incredible by any of you that God raises the dead?”

The religious leaders were supposedly men who knew God, knew the story of the Jews and God, knew the mighty works of God in delivering the Jews from bondage, leading them through the wilderness, and finally establishing the nation known as Israel.  The Pharisees even professed to believe in the resurrection of the physical body after death.

Paul seems at a loss to explain why a people who have seen the power of God up close can think that the story of the resurrection of Jesus is improbable.

Christians have grown up with stories of Christ feeding the 5,000, walking on water, healing people, and raising Lazarus from the dead, but when we see someone who used to be a “bad person” transformed into a child of Christ, we tend to doubt what we are seeing.  I even heard a preacher say from the pulpit that “people cannot change.”

If we believe in God we believe in His presence, His power,  and His interest and involvement in humanity.  If we believe in Christ we believe in His life, His teachings, His resurrection, and the transformative power of His love.

And we should expect to see these things in our lives and the lives of others.

May the love of Christ be with you,

Rev. Eric Lanier (Retired)

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