jon

The Real Truth is in this story about Jon.

I always arrived fifteen or twenty minutes early so I could fix coffee for my college career Sunday School class. As I entered my room one day, there he sat with a buzzed head, tattooed biceps resembling those of a linebacker, and a crooked smile (which I later found out was because his front teeth had been knocked out at a party when he was a teenager) "Hi, my name is Don," he said. I detected a strong northern accent in his voice, but a gentle spirit was evident as he reached to shake my hand. From the moment I met Don, I sensed that he was special, but I could not have imagined the impact he would eventually have on my life, as well as the life of my family. There was a spiritual hunger in Don that became apparent within minutes of the time that I met him. He sat attentively in class that day as I talked about how the Bible is the road map for our lives. After class, he was full of questions, but there was a haunting sense of desperation in his voice. There was a sense that he would not leave church that day until he found what he was looking for. I invited him to stay for church, and I told him to listen to the pastor's message. We arranged to meet after the service so that we could discuss the message together. I peeked at Don a few times during the service, and his eyes were fixed on the preacher with an intensity that seemingly tuned out the whole world. After the service, Don sat fidgeting on the back row of the church, as everyone else exited. He shared with me that he was a taxi driver, and that one of his customers had talked with him about Jesus on the previous day. Again, I sensed desperation in his voice as he said, "I want to change, but I've messed things up." I asked him, "Don, do you want Jesus to forgive you, save you, and give you a home in heaven when you die?" He continued, "I can't explain how bad I want that, but.... but ... well, you just don't understand how bad I've been." He began to share the details of his misspent life, which would have shocked you as much as it did me. When he stopped, I said, "Don, salvation is not based on how bad or good we are. It is based on how good Jesus is." Then I read I John 1:9: "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness." As I looked up, that rough cab driver from New York had tears streaming down his face. That day I met Don, and Don met Jesus. He asked for forgiveness, and invited Jesus into his life; his joy was uncontainable.

The next few days and weeks revealed a completely different man than the one I met that unsuspecting morning. There is a scientific term that perfectly describes what happened to Don, and what has happened to many of you. Metamorphosis is the process of when a caterpillar creates a cocoon, and later emerges as a butterfly. It changes from one insect into a completely different insect. II Corinthians 5:17 says, "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old (caterpillar) is gone, the new (butterfly) has come." (Parenthetical)

With Don, the change was immediate and drastic. Without hesitation, he dropped drugs, immorality, and stealing; and oftentimes spent an hour or two each day in prayer and Bible study. But Don's testimony may not be your testimony. He broke out of the cocoon quickly, but don't get discouraged if you miss days reading your Bible and praying. God has a timetable for you. Just don't give up.

Back to the story.... Don and I met almost every week for discipleship during the next year. My wife and I picked him up every week for Sunday School. He and I would go to the altar early, and pray that others would be saved and changed like he has been. Don had his share of struggles (and you will, too), but even in those times, he never doubted what Jesus had done for him on the back row of that church.

Roughly two and a half years from the day I met Don, I received a call informing me that his cab had been struck on the driver's side, and he had been rushed to the hospital, Don was on life support, and his injuries eventually turned out fatal. He was only thirty-one years old. It was a bittersweet day for me. I had lost a dear friend, but I knew without any doubts that he was in heaven.

If you have asked Jesus to forgive you and save you, then the same will be true of you when life is complete. Can you remember a time when you were saved? If so, you are a new creation. Seek Jesus in His Word and in prayer that you might grow spiritually.

If you could not answer "yes" to that question, find a spot to kneel, or just close your eyes and pray this prayer to God. But you must really mean the words if you want to make them real with God. Pray.... Dear Jesus. I know I am a sinner. I know that my sins keep me from being in a relationship with You. I believe that Jesus lived a perfect life, died, and rose again. I want to be a new creation like Don. Please forgive me, and save me, Jesus. Thank you for hearing my prayer. In Jesus' name, Amen.

If you prayed that prayer for the first time and really meant it, then Jesus has saved you immediately! Romans 10:13 says, "For everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved".

For every person who knows Jesus, it's now time to grow. You have experienced spiritual metamorphosis, and you are a new creation!

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