But
me, I don’t have a radical story to tell you.
I
grew up in a Christian home, always hearing the bible stories, always hearing
of God’s love, always knowing about the sacrifice of Christ. So after a while
it got kind of redundant. The fact of Jesus’ death and resurrection became
redundant and less meaningful to me. Less radical. I knew that Christ had died
for my sins, I knew I was forgiven and I knew I was a child of God. But my life
didn’t show it. My life showed that I didn’t really care. I didn’t read my
bible often, I never took opportunities to share Christ’s love with anyone; I
didn’t focus on God.
Due
to this, I got caught up. I was in the world and of the world –
exactly the opposite of what God wants from His children.
But
now, I have finally experienced God in a way that I now know that He loves me,
that Christ died for me, and that I have been forgiven. Romans 8:1 says “There is now no condemnation for those who
are in Jesus Christ.” I am in Christ, I have been forgiven, and I will not
be condemned, and nothing can separate me from the love of God (Romans
8:38-39).
My
life changed. I realized I am a sinner, and I have accepted God’s love and
Christ’s sacrifice for myself. It wasn’t radical, it was simple. I kept going
to church, kept listening to sermons, kept learning. I was never a drug addict
or a prostitute. I never murdered or stole. But I am still a sinner – held to
the same level as all others – and I am forgiven.
I
still don’t really have a radical story. But God is calling me to a journey, a
life living for and with Him, and it’s about to get radical.
