Many things affect us. Books, TV, radio, movies, the internet are just a few of many influences that capture our attention and affection. However, some things have a life-changing effect on us. One immoral man named Augustine, was one such person. He was pervasively gripped by the bible and powerfully impacted history. If you're like me, you desire to encourage other people's lives for good. What was it that caused Augustine to have such an impact? How could such an immoral man end up serving his fellow man? The key was how God broke into Augustine's life with Romans, and how God broke open his life to communicate the truth of Romans.
The book of Romans had a powerful effect on Augustine. The conversion of Augustine was very timely. In September A.D. 386, God rocked his intellectual world and the Holy Spirit wooed him to Jesus Christ. He was a brilliant professor and philosopher; but he was a dirty man who lived an immoral life. One afternoon, as he sat weeping in the garden of his friend Alypius, Augustine was gripped with the troubles in his soul and the wickedness of his life. He then heard the voice of a child saying, "Tolle, lege. Tolle, lege." In Latin it means, "Take up and read. Take up and read." An open scroll of the book of Romans lay beside him. He picked it up and went to his lodging. He then began to read Romans 13:13-14 which says, ..."Not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual promiscuity and sensuality, not in strife and jealousy. But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh in regard to its lusts." Augustine was gripped in the core of his being. He later wrote of that occasion: "No further would I read, nor did I need; for instantly, as the sentence ended, by a light, as it were, or security infused into my heart, all the gloom of doubt vanished away" (Confessions Book 8, Chapter 12). By simply reading a short passage from Romans, Aurelius Augustine, became a follower of Jesus Christ.
At that time in history, the church was fighting and feeling the bruises of strife. Why? A man named Pelagius (a fifth-century monk), taught and preached the poison of the Pelagian heresy. He said that man has the ability to obey God's commands. Pelagius purported that man can take the first and most important steps toward salvation on his own. This unfortunate teaching was causing the church to drink in its error and become deceived. Who would save the church of Jesus Christ from dangerous tentacles of the Pelagian heresy? Where would the voice of biblical reason come from? Did God have someone ready to battle this formidable foe of false teaching? Certainly! Augustine demolished the Pelagian heresy at that time. How? He simply expounded and explained the book of Romans. As he taught, Jesus Christ became clearer and haze of Pelagianism became dimmer. Augustine went from an immoral man, to a man in love with the Christ of Romans. History records that Augustine went on to become one of the church's outstanding theologians and leaders.
My friend, what book, paragraph, or sentence of the bible has had a powerful effect on you lately? What paragraphs of Scripture have penetrated your soul with life-changing results recently? What verses have rocked your world and caused you to endeavor to change your life? I long for this. I long for you to have this. How? The power comes from the Word of God empowered by the Spirit of God. God says the Word of God is "living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword." The bible penetrated deep into Augustine's soul. It changed him and he changed the world. It can do the same for you. How will you and I influence our world today? Augustine was only one man yet God used him greatly. You do not need to be Augustine but you do need to do the works God has called you to fulfill (Eph. 2:10). Let's do what God calls us to today. People need your influence for good today. Our world could use 1000, even 1,000,000 people like Augustine today. Augustine's life is over but your life remains. You be that person who shares the bible with others. Fill your mind with the truth ...then ... reach people with the great message of Jesus Christ.
From my heart,
Rick Hoppe
Teaching Pastor
Faith Bible Church
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