Saw one of those “before and after” pics pop up on my computer the other day… The “before” pic showed someone terribly obese and unkempt – The “after” pic could have been a fashion model (know what I mean?) Wondered a bit about whether or not some photo “doctoring” might have taken place. Those pics, however, are limited – they only address the exterior view of a person.
Doctors though, with “imaging technology” and x-rays, can view the interior of a person. They are able to view internal parts and processes and identify where there are problems inside a human body. They can look at the “before and after” pics and know if a diseased or malfunctioning part of the human body has been removed, repaired, or healed.
But there’s another view that is important and often dramatic. That view is the “before and after” of a person who has experienced “Spiritual transformation!” God knows each of us “inside – out” and His view has to be absolutely incredible! His “before and after” view is so significant that the Bible calls it “new birth” (John 3:3-8) or “justification” (a guilty sinner is acquitted and made “just-as-if-they’d-never-sinned!”) … Hey, only God, can pull that one off! God’s has the full picture and only He knows just how complete the transformation is (and believe me, it is complete and thorough)! Check out II Corinthians 5:17 – The Bible calls it a “new creation” – “the old has passed away – the new has come.” God’s not the only one who knows what has happened however! Everyone can see it – it’s evident! It’s an “inside-out before and after” transformation!
I read about it this morning in the Bible during my time of “coffee with the Lord!”
“When God our Savior revealed his kindness and love, He saved us, not because of the righteous things we had done, but because of His mercy. He washed away our sins, giving us a new birth and new life through the Holy Spirit. He generously poured out the Spirit upon us through Jesus Christ our Savior. And because of His grace He declared us righteous and gave us confidence that we will inherit eternal life!” (Titus 3:4–7 NLT)
WOW!!! You want a dramatic “before and after” pic? That one is awesome and complete – “inside – out!” Only God can pull it off through what Jesus did on our behalf! I can only hope and pray you’ve experienced it!!
“Amazing Grace” … the best known hymn of all time! John Newton (1725-1807) – former slave trader, blasphemer, and profligate sinner who experienced God’s marvelous, life-transforming grace wrote the song. He never ceased to marvel at God’s great, generous, undeserved favor! If you’ve never read the book, “John Newton” by Jonathan Aitken, you really should… My quote after reading the book: “If God can save John Newton, he can save ANYONE!”
