One denomination sent a few missionaries to a faraway land. Despite their hard work for about a decade, there was no fruit in the ministry. With a heavy heart, they decided to close the field in a year’s time. Nevertheless, God was faithful. After the decision was made, before it could be conveyed to the field workers, a miracle happened. One notorious dacoit came to the mission compound and received the Lord Jesus Christ. As the head of a gang, he could share and convince the whole gang to become followers of Christ. The first congregation in the faraway land was a dacoit gang. They were faithful followers and became pillars of the church. Their children and grandchildren have become key leaders of the denomination and have grown the church further. (Colossians 1:6)
Discouragement: The missionaries, after diligent toil, could not see evidence of their labour in the form of new disciples. The leadership of that agency also concluded that the work should be stopped. However, God had His plan, and also the right timing. Thank God, before they closed the mission, there were fruits of the gospel.
Good news: The Gospel is good news, in fact, the only eternal good news for humanity. Numerous people who are disheartened and hard-hearted need the gospel. The Dacoits or other people considered as wicked or notorious in society also need the gospel.
Power to transform: Only the gospel has the power to transform people. All sinners, irrespective of the degree of sin, according to human standards, are eligible to be transformed. The more hopeless they become; more grace would be bestowed for bringing a total transformation. Condemned by society, abandoned by family, and hounded by the government, the gang of dacoits became a congregation of saints. God chooses the foolish, ignoble, low and despised, transforms them, to confound the wise of the world. (I Corinthians 1: 26-28)
Righteous: Dacoits become doers of good, fruitful, and contribute to the progress and welfare of society. Selfish men became self-sacrificing servants of the cross.
Do I realise, recognise, and experience the power of transformation of the gospel?