Anyone can change

"Some of you were once like that. But you were cleansed; you were made holy; you were made right with God by calling on the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God." 1 Corinthians 6:11 NLT

On January 22, Local Utah News published a story titled, "Carrot-suited runner from Utah breaks marathon world record in Arizona" in which the writer said... A Utah runner broke a world record by completing an Arizona marathon in 2 hours, 44 minutes, 12 seconds while dressed as a carrot. Jordan Maddocks, 35, of Draper, participated in the Jan. 16 Rock ‘n’ Roll Arizona Marathon in Phoenix, and his time of 2:44:12 beat the previous record of 2:45:08, which was set by carrot-suited runner Andrew Lawrence at London’s Virgin Money London Marathon in 2017. The writer went on to say, "Maddocks, whose efforts raised funds for substance abuse charity Release Recovery Foundation, said the carrot suit was representative of his own quest to make healthier life choices. “I have struggled with substance abuse in my past,” Maddocks told Running Magazine. “Running has been my way out of that lifestyle.” 

And while running has certainly been a way countless people have found their way "out of that lifestyle,” the Bible is clear that substance abuse isn't the only lifestyle that can be harmful to us or even keep us from inheriting the Kingdom of God. Thankfully, the Bible is also very clear that, no matter how caught up in a way or pattern of unholy living a person might be, they can be cleansed, made holy and "made right with God by calling on the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God." This person, like Maddocks, can then find the strength to make healthier life choices that will allow them to say, "I was 'once like that' but I am no more." 

So if you're caught up in a pattern of life that is contrary to the Word, don't get caught up in the lie that you can't change my friend. Paul said "you were once like that" because God can change anyone that turns to Him. Is that amazing or what? 

Heavenly Father, thank You for being a God who will always take us back. Lord please remind the person that might be caught up in their sin today, that they can be restored, cleansed, and made right by simply repenting and turning to You. It's in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!!!