Richard Roberts
The old sayings go that “a leopard can’t change its spots” and “old dogs can’t learn new tricks.” Lots of people assume those statements are also true in their own lives. They think that it’s impossible for them to change, or that it’s too late to do something for God. I’m here today to tell you that in Jesus Christ, it’s never too late!
The early life of Abraham, the man we call the “father of our faith,” was less than heroic. In fact, there’s strong evidence to show that he was a coward and a liar. He told a king in a foreign land that Sarah was his sister. (See Genesis 12:11-20) But the New Testament doesn’t talk about Abraham’s fear. It talks about his faith in following God, and about Sarah conceiving a child when they were long past the age of producing offspring.
The early life of Joseph was one of great pain and sorrow. He was sold into slavery by his own brothers as a youth, tricked by Potiphar’s wife, thrown into an Egyptian prison, forgotten by those he befriended. (See Genesis 37–50) The later life of Joseph was quite different. He became the number two man in Egypt and saved his family from famine. The New Testament doesn’t talk about either Joseph’s sufferings or political successes; it talks about his faith in prophesying the return of his people to the Promised Land. (See Hebrews 11:22)
The early life of Moses was marred by sin. Moses murdered an Egyptian and fled in exile for 40 years on the backside of the desert. It was only later in his life that he was called by God to lead His people from Egypt to the Promised Land. The New Testament doesn’t talk about Moses’ sin. It talks only about his faith in forsaking Egypt, establishing the Passover, and crossing the Red Sea. (See Hebrews 11:24–29.)
Friend, no matter what fears, sufferings, failures, or sins you may have in your past … your future, beginning today, can be marked by FAITH! It’s not too late!
