As you know if you’ve read more than one of my blog posts, the words of hymns, gospel songs and worship music often come back to bless and give me inspiration. Are those words as powerful as God’s word? Of course not, they are powerful because of God’s word. Today it is the simple words of an old hymn, “What a wonderful change in my life has been wrought since Jesus came into my heart. I have light in my soul for which long I had sought since Jesus came into my heart.” A beautiful change takes place in our life when we begin a relationship with God through Jesus. No wonder Jesus compares it to being reborn. (John 3:1-21) Paul tells us that it isn’t just a change of heart, but is a renewing of our mind. (Romans 12:2)
You can’t hide the change. It is evident in everything you say or do. If you listen to the songs “Sunday Morning Coming Down” and “Why Me Lord” back to back you would swear that they were written by two different song writers. I have heard Kris Kristofferson’s testimony and he would be the first to tell you that he was a different song writer after his encounter with Jesus Christ.
When the change took place in my life 65 years ago, most people were attracted to the new person I had become. My parents saw the change and it encouraged them to find a new church for us to attend together. My father had been baptized in his youth, but my mother and I were baptized on the same day. They always were loving parents, but their renewal of faith made our home even more loving and nurturing than ever.
Today, many people are repelled by the thought of such a transformation. They don’t understand it. Although they envy the peace and serenity they see in you, they don’t want to be tied to a “religion” with beliefs that are at odds with the society they have learned to accept. They don’t understand that Christians are not bound by religious rules and regulations like the religious leaders of Jesus’ day. They falsely stereotype Christians as judgmental, holier than thou, hypocrites. They don’t understand that through our changed heart and renewed mind, we see the world as God sees it and we act according to His love within us. Thankfully, there is nothing more powerful than a changed life and the personal testimony of a Christian to explode those false stereotypes. Yes, actions do speak louder than words, but sometimes we need to use words to express that it is God who has changed us by His love, mercy and grace.