Do people ever really change?

Would you hire a trespasser? A felon?  A murderer?  A serial killer?  Someone who could have prevented a death and chose to deliberately let them die?  Hey, I’d think twice… or more.  But God uses these… these like me.  And we are in good company:

Murder?  Moses.

Serial killer?  Paul.

Negligent homicide?  Jesus.

Trespass?  Me.

You may be wondering about one of those: Jesus.  Jesus deliberately let Lazarus die even though he could have easily saved him (He did this for the greater good of displaying the Love and Power of the Father by raising His friend from the grave.  But as far as appearances, it looked like Jesus was negligent).

So how do you decide who to hire?  Do you believe that the past is the best predictor of the future?  For felons? murderers? the negligent?  How about for you?  Is your past the best predictor of your future?  If I was chained to my past I would be hopeless indeed.

Do for others what you would want them to do for you.

I would want another chance after I had met Jesus, and had a change of heart… because I literally had a new heart.

Would I hire just anyone?  Not a chance.  But if God gave them another chance, could you consider it, too? for the right person?

p.s.  Even after having a new heart I continue to sin at times.  And I hope that is not the predictor of my future.  Celebrate Recovery is a proven help for many and thank God, He is slowly changing my future toward living more like Jesus.

p.p.s.  This post was prompted by my concern for felons that I know, that even though they have repented, society doesn’t forgive them.

Author: james bruce mcnaughton

I became Seriously Mentally Ill at age 18, ten years later I got and took the right meds, I accepted Jesus, and my recovery began. View all posts by james bruce mcnaughton