In 1983, Ken Cooper’s 3-year career as an armed felon ended when he was sentenced to 99 years in Florida’s infamous prison—The Rock. With just five guards controlling 900 inmates, The Rock was a hell hole of knifings, beatings, murders, and rape. But while there, Ken Cooper heard the gospel through a brave prison chaplain and became a follower of Jesus. Soon some of Ken’s cellmates did too, and their lives began to change.
One day Ken and his friends adopted a kitten that they named Mr. Magoo. Mr. Magoo’s back had been broken and his eyes had been blinded by acid—cruel acts committed by other inmates. But Ken and the other kind inmates held Mr. Magoo each day, took turns feeding him, and even prayed for his sight to return. Mr. Magoo was lavished with love. And his sight did return!
The justice system could punish Ken and his cellmates, but it couldn’t change their hearts. The kindness shown to Mr. Magoo revealed the transformation taking place inside them.
The apostle Paul once lamented that many of his fellow Jews rejected Jesus for the Old Testament law. Paul’s response was that while that law was good (Romans 7:12,14) and glorious (2 Corinthians 3:7), it could only condemn when we broke it (v.9). Like the civil law that judged Ken Cooper, the law exposes our bad deeds and sentences us. In contrast, Jesus, by His Spirit, offers inner transformation. He enters our lives and starts restoring our souls to make us “more and more like Him as we are changed into His glorious image” (v.18). We are freed and changed (v.17). For Paul, the good-but-condemning law was no match for the good-and- transforming Spirit (v.8). Ken Cooper would concur, for God’s grace turned hardened criminals into kitten-loving gentlemen.
More:
• Ephesians 4:22
• Colossians 3:9
Next:
How legalistic are you? Do you believe that your allegiance to God’s law will make you good? What sin or weakness will you offer to Jesus today as you seek to be transformed into His character?
Marye on June 11, 2010 at 4:42 am
What an awesome description of the changes that Jesus can makes in our lives!
axcvilla on June 11, 2010 at 4:54 am
After being ‘born again’ into the Kingdom, some people might still feel the same – have the same sinful desires, the same inclinations – BUT, there is something new in that – there is a desire for God, there is a desire to worship him and to honour him with our lives.
People are always trying to change and to some extent – outward behaviours can change. But only God can change the heart. Only he can fix what is broken on the inside.
I can testify to that.
ncaberte on June 11, 2010 at 5:14 pm
I want to thank God for showing His love and mercy in my life. When I received Him as my Lord and Savior, my life was never the same again since 1989. Looking back, I could not imagine the great transformation He made and I am greatly humbled. Thank you Lord and I love you.