Has Been Radically Transformed By God
Has Been Radically Transformed By God
A HERO’S TALE
When it comes to toys, there’s nothing better than Transformers.
Optimus Prime, Megatron, and their mechanical pals have been around for nearly 30 years —since your parents were kids! There have been Transformer action figures, comic books, TV shows, video games, animated movies, and live-action films. Transformers have been so successful because, let’s face it, what’s cooler than powerful, talking robots that can transform, or change, into something else —like tractor trailers, exotic race cars, and fighter jets?
Did you know the Bible is full of amazing stories of transformation too? It’s true! Take Ruth, for example.
Ruth was from Moab, a wicked nation east of Israel. The Moabites were longtime, bitter enemies of God’s people. The two countries battled on and off for more than 600 years. The Moabites worshiped many false gods and even appeared to practice child sacrifice (see 2 Kings 3:26-27).
Old Testament prophets like Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Amos, and Zephaniah all prophesied against Moab. And in Deuteronomy 23:3-6, the Lord himself cursed Moab and commanded Israel not to allow them into “the assembly of the LORD.”
Surely God would never show love to anyone from wicked Moab, right?
Wrong.
DECODING THE MESSAGE
As we learned yesterday, the book of Ruth is a wonderful picture of redemption. But it’s also a marvelous story of how God loves to transform lives.
At some point, God radically changed Ruth. He took a woman from a wicked, idol-worshiping nation and transformed her into a loving, God-fearing woman who became the great-grandmother of Israel’s greatest monarch, King David, and an ancestor of Jesus himself!
By using Ruth for his purposes, God showed he can change anyone’s heart. He doesn’t care where we grew up or what our past is. He’s in the business of transforming people from all backgrounds.
Maybe you’re thinking, That’s great, but I’m not as bad as the worst Moabite. You’re probably right. But you need God’s salvation just as much as the most wicked idol worshiper. The Bible says all of us were born “dead in transgressions” but that God can make us “alive with Christ” (Ephesians 2:5, NIV). Talk about a great transformation!
GOD IS SO RICH IN MERCY, AND HE LOVED US SO MUCH, THAT EVEN THOUGH WE WERE DEAD BECAUSE OF OUR SINS, HE GAVE US LIFE WHEN HE RAISED CHRIST FROM THE DEAD. (IT IS ONLY BY GOD’S GRACE THAT YOU HAVE BEEN SAVED!)
—Ephesians 2:4-5
Has God transformed your life? It happens only if you trust in the life-changing power of Jesus’ death and resurrection. When you do that, God will forgive your sins and start transforming your heart to obey him!
BATTLE PLAN
Next time you watch or play with something Transformers related, thank God for transforming lives!
From the book
