I have heard testimonies over the years where a drug addict, prostitute or former inmate shared their testimony about God’s saving grace. And it has been incredible to hear such testimonies. But as fantastic as that is, it is no more profound than the 5-year old girl, who having attended Sunday school all her short life, is regenerated at an early age by the grace of Christ while a young child.
She grows into a God-loving teenager, marries a Christian man and never knows the stinging anguish of brokenness like those above have experienced. Nevertheless, she and the convict were exactly the same in the sight of God, prior to their regeneration.
I’m not saying we should downplay the regeneration of the convict, but I am saying as far as salvation is concerned, he is no different than the little girl. Although some may argue that the former inmate, etc. has a “better” testimony, in some ways, the little girl’s testimony might be “better.”
Her testimony is about the power of the Gospel, not only to save, but the on-going power of the Gospel that keeps her living in the good of the Gospel throughout her life.
We all sin naturally and easily. It is pretty easy for most of us to get angry, become impatient, gossip, overeat, or even to end up in prison if we truly followed our natural desires. Not only are we all weak when it comes to sin, but sin is very powerful. But the empowering grace of God is much stronger (2 Cor. 12:9-10). It is the power of God (1 Cor. 1:18; Rom. 1:16-17) that saves ALL of us and continually helps us become more holy (sin less).
Both the testimony of the former inmate and that of the 5-year old girl equally speak volumes to the goodness and power of the Gospel.
Application Questions
- Do you feel that your condition before God, prior to your salvation, was not as “bad” as someone else’s condition?
- Do you believe that passion for the Savior is connected more to the degree, kind and consequences of sins you committed before salvation or should our passion for the Gospel be connected to our universal condition before God, prior to salvation?
- Are you stunned by the Gospel that works out in daily passion? Why or why not?
The reason for this second question is because it is true that he who is forgiven much is more grateful, but I have heard some say, over the years, that their lack of passion for the Savior was because they did not commit as many sins as someone else. This argument is one of the things I’m debunking in this series.
Other Articles in This Series
- Problem: Big Sinners vs. Little Sinners – 1.0
- Churches with Big Sinners & Little Sinners – 2.0
- Adult Sinners with Big Problems – 3.0
- Acknowledged Sinners with Inexpressible Gratitude – 4.0
- Big Sinners, Little Sinners & the Worst Sinners – 5.0
Checkout some of our training videos on our YouTube Channel
D. B. said, great stuff!!! Lovin’ it!
C. D. said, This is such an important point to make–thanks for posting. The ground at the foot of the cross is level…
D. P. said, A murderer, fornicator, and drug addict and the little girl have nothing in common. The only thing they do is access to the gospel. Their forgiveness is equally bestowed without partiality. If they all died without Christ they would not be equal they will be judged according to their deeds.