A skeptic can attempt, albeit futilely, to deny things that are contained in the Bible; however, one thing that cannot be denied is the testimony of a life changed by God. There are many people throughout human history who were once lost, but now found; once shackled by sin, but now liberated from the dominion of sin; once blinded to God, but now walking in the light of Christ.
In Mark 5, we read the account of a man who was once controlled by demons. This man dwelt among tombs and was bound by the chains of sin. This man could not be controlled by other men and was, therefore, relegated to an isolated existence “in the mountains, and in the tombs” where he was found “crying, and cutting himself with stones” (v. 5). This man was alone, possessed by demons, and living out a miserable existence on earth.
The day came, however, when this man would meet the One who would turn his life upside down and would transform him from the inside out. Jesus Christ journeyed across the Sea of Galilee to the country of the Gadarenes where He would meet this man and cast demons out of the man into a herd of pigs who “ran violently down a steep place into the sea” (v. 13). Those caring for the pigs were frightened and fled the countryside to go to the city and publish what had happened.
When those from the city came out to see what had happened, they found a rather surprising change. The man who had formerly been an outcast due to his destructive, sinful behavior, was now “sitting, and clothed, and in his right mind” (v. 15). In other words, this man who had been so tormented by sin and demons had been radically changed because of Jesus. The man who was chained by sin was now changed by the grace of God.
This man, so grateful for the work of Jesus Christ on his behalf, had a desire to stay with Christ. But Christ had other plans for him. Christ gave this man a commission to “go home to thy friends, and tell them how great things the Lord hath done for thee, and hath had compassion on thee” (v. 19).
This man who was once chained by sin, was in a moment of time changed by Jesus and commissioned to spread abroad what Christ had done.
Is this not a picture of the testimony of every believer? Do you remember the time when you were still bound by those chains of sin? Do you remember the day that Jesus saved you and changed your life? Are you being faithful to go and tell of the great salvation that Christ has wrought on your behalf?
AW Tozer said, “If we are not changed by grace, then we are not saved by grace.” May we be faithful in demonstrating and proclaiming this wonderful change that Christ has wrought in us!
~Pastor Aaron Francis