Life Is Different ~ Thanks to Calvary
I woke up this morning with an old song on my mind that I heard as a teenager from the group the Cathedrals. I am not sure why I remembered it, but it gave me the occasion to look it up on YouTube to hear it. What a joy! As I listened to it and thought about Acts 22 where Paul gave his testimony, I found myself with tears running down my cheeks. As a counselor, pastor, pastor’s son, and Bible student, I have watched the gospel of Jesus Christ and His Word in the sanctification process change so many people. Life change. Complete life change. Life is different ~ Thanks to Calvary!
The Apostle Paul Describes Life Change
Paul begins by describing his life before having a personal relationship with Jesus Christ (Acts 22). In these verses, Paul describes a life of contempt for Jesus and all those who followed Him in The Way. He worked hard to persecute as many as he could (vv. 3-5).
However, all that changed on the Damascus Road (vv. 6-11). As he traveled, he was confronted on that road by Jesus Himself. Jesus asked him why he was persecuting Him through His people. Paul simply asked, “What do you want me to do?” Jesus told him; then, in humility and submission, Paul obeyed. In this moment, Paul was converted. In the process, he also lost his sight. He had to be led by the hand all the way to Damascus.
In Damascus, Paul met Ananias (vv. 12-16). Initially, God used Ananias to give Paul back his sight. Ananias gave Him God’s Word to help him know what to do next. The next step of obedience was baptism.
From there, Paul left and went back to Jerusalem (vv. 17-21). While in Jerusalem, in a trance, Paul was given instruction from God to become the apostle to the Gentiles. From there, Paul humbly followed Jesus the rest of his life.
The Gospel Changes People
The Apostle Paul described the change God makes in a Christian’s life. Jesus makes it possible to live a life that honors the Lord. He changes us and makes us something new. In the power of the His Spirit, then, we walk in Christ striving to honor the Lord.
Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure. (Phil 2:12-13)
For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them. (Eph 2:8-10)
But you have not so learned Christ, if indeed you have heard Him and have been taught by Him, as the truth is in Jesus: that you put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts, and be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness. (Eph 4: 20-24)
Thanks to Calvary
Here are the Cathedrals singing the beautiful song that I woke up thinking about this morning, Thanks to Calvary.
The story of George is a simple one. In the early days while in the military serving in North Carolina, after World Word II, his life was devastated by smoking marijuana and he became a drunk. But, God saved him. This song captures the change God can make in us through the Word of God applied in our lives as we seek to live consistent with the gospel through the power of the Holy Spirit.
This story has been duplicated so many, many times. God can change any of us through the sanctification process.
The lyrics:
Today I went back to the place where I used to go.Today I saw the same old crowd I knew before.When they asked me what had happened,I tried to tell them, “Thanks to Calvary,I don’t come here any more.”
Thanks to Calvary, I am not the man that I used to beThanks to Calvary, things are different than before.While the tears ran down my face, I tried to tell them,“Thanks to Calvary, we don’t come here anymore.”
Then we went back to the house where we used to live.My little boy ran and hid behind the door.And I said: “Son, oh little boy, don’t be afraid,Because you’ve got a brand-new daddy now.”
Thanks to Calvary, we don’t live here anymore.Thanks to Calvary, I am not the dad that I used to beThanks to Calvary, things are different than before.While the tears ran down my face, I tried to tell my little boy,“Thanks to Calvary, we don’t live here anymore.”
Songwriters: Gloria Gaither / William J. Gaither
Bonus – Sinner Saved By Grace
Knowing George Younce’s testimony, Gloria and Bill Gaither wrote this song just for him to sing as his testimony.
The lyrics:
If you could see what I once was
If you could go with me
Back to where I started from
Then I know you would see
A miracle of love that took me
In it’s sweet embrace
And made me what I am today
Just an old sinner saved by grace
I’m just a sinner saved by grace
When I stood condemned to death He took my place
Now I live and breathe in freedom
With each breath of life I take
Loved and forgiven, backed with a living
I’m just a sinner saved by grace
How could I boast on anything I’ve ever seen or done?
How could I dare to claim as mine
The victories God has won?
Where would I be Had God not brought me
Gently to this place?
I’m here to say I’m nothing
But a sinner saved by grace
I’m just a sinner saved by grace
When I stood condemned to death He took my place
Now I grow and breathe in freedom
With each breath of life I take
I’m loved and forgiven backed with a living
I’m just a sinner saved by grace
Now I grow and breathe in freedom
With each breath of life I take
I’m loved and forgiven backed with a living
I’m just a sinner saved by grace
Saved by grace
Songwriters: Gloria Gaither / William J. Gaither
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