Previous Challenge Entry (Level 1 – Beginner)
Topic: Life (06/15/06)
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TITLE: From old life to new | Previous Challenge Entry
By Abiodun Akinkoye
06/21/06 -
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“Old things are passed away, behold all things are become new” said Soji quoting from the word of God, as he returned to his former ‘hang out’ for the first time in two years since he gave his life.
“Cut out the ‘born again’ stuff, “ said Frank, one of Soji’s old friends and the most outspoken of the lot. Soji was expecting the worst of course, but he had faith for the best of God, since he was part of the ‘gang’ before he gave his life to Christ. Frank was holding a ‘joint’ in one hand and a bottle of alcohol in the other. The time was about 10.15 in the evening and was quite dark already. There were several other old friends there with their female companions in skimpy dresses, some of them on the lap of their male counterparts.
Soji continued “Friends, I have found peace and joy in the new life of Christ that I now live and Jesus is offering you that life to you all. What I thought I lost by giving my life is not comparable to what I have gained in the new life.”
It has been two years and his friends have indeed seen the transformation in Soji’s life though he has estranged himself from his friends, they have seen him occasionally and heard testimonies about him. They were convinced that something spectacular has happened in the life of their friend. While they loved the transformation in Soji’s life, they were not ready to let go their lifestyle.
Soji then made them to understand that that the change could only take place if they would accept the new life, confessing their sins, repenting and accepting Jesus as their Lord and savior. He said “God brought me out of this hang out and the old lifestyle of disobedience, alcoholism, drug abuse, addiction and riotous living, kingdom of darkness and took me into the Kingdom of His dear Son. You too can experience and live that new life.”
Now Frank who had receded to the rear began to soak in the Spirit filled words that flowed from Soji’s mouth and started having a sense of soberness and brokenness as if God really exposed him to himself. Then he said to himself, if God can forgive Soji who used to be one of us, and can be changed as is now obvious, he too has hope.
Then Frank stood up, tears welling up in his eyes, started moving forward and extended his hands to Soji as the others watched surprised. Soji led him to say the Salvation prayer and he accepted Jesus as his Lord and savior.
As his friend embraced him, tears rolled down the cheek of both Soji and frank. In quick succession, four other friends came out and gave their life to Christ.
Soji was overwhelmed with joy as there is joy in heaven over a sinner that repents, He gave thanks to God for the step of faith he took to obey the great commission by going out to witness to his former hang out. He said, indeed “He brought out to bring us in” so we can reach out to the lost.
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