DOES ANYONE THINK IT STRANGE...?

    I am assuming that most are familiar with the Biblical account of the conversion of Saul of Tarsus, aka, the Apostle Paul, who immediately began preaching Christ among those which he had previously persecuted (Acts 9). So profound was the change in this man that his story so preceded him that when he began preaching in the regions of Syria and Celicia, the residents had already heard “that he which persecuted us in times past now preaches the faith which once he destroyed” (Gal. 1:24).
    The Conversion of Saul/Paul is not the only example in the Bible of the change that transpires when one comes to faith in Christ. We read of Zacchaeus, the Woman at the Well, the Disciples and others whose lives were changed. So common are these changes in people recorded that seems to be an expectation…and why not? This is what the Bible refers to as the “new birth” in John 3. When one is “born into” the family of God by faith in Jesus Christ and this “new life” is imparted, change is expected!
    In 1Peter 5:1-5, the Apostle Peter writes concerning the same subject, pointing to this life changing experience.  He writes of the Purpose of Christ’s Suffering (vs 1), which is due to God’s work on our behalf when He sent His Son to suffer and die on the Cross for our sins. He paid the penalty duly owed by us so we could be forgiven when we trust in Him.
    From this point onward, the Practice of the Believer should become evident (vs 2) in our lives as we live according to the will of God. Having renounced the Past life (vs 3), which had been spent to please the carnal nature, we are now to live to please Him.   The Proof of a change is seen in verse 4, in that “they think it strange that you run not with them to the same excesses” (referred to in verse 3).  “They” are those previous associations with whom you once “ran to excess” with.
    In other words, since conversion to faith in Christ, there has been an evident change in attitude and actions that are becoming a new Believer in Christ. This change results in a Profound difference in behavior that is noticeable. Paul describes this change in 2Cor. 5:17 which states “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.”  If anyone could testify of a change of life, it was he!
    Knowing that we shall give a Personal account of our Conversation (an old KJV word that means “lifestyle”) as it becomes Consistent with our Conversion (vs 5), the question that begs to be asked is…DOES ANYONE THINK ANYTHING STRANGE ABOUT YOU SINCE YOU PROFESSED CHRIST?  Are you different from what you once were? Has there been a Change in your lifestyle that is noticeable? Not accusing or criticizing, just asking! Has there been a change in you since Jesus came in? Does the old crowd think anything is strange
Jesus paid the price…and left us the change…
 
Homer Rodeheaver was the song leader in many of the crusades in which Bill Sunday preached. At one such crusade, the song “Since Jesus Came Into My Heart”, written by Rufus McDaniel was used. During the singing of this hymn, a police officer named Fowler was converted. He, in turn, led a number of other policemen to faith in Christ.