He started asking questions from those who might help him, and several friends helped him to begin to understand how his life could be transformed.
Then one day, 'out of the blue' as we might say, he heard some children playing a game, and it seemed to him he was being told, "Pick it up and read it!"
So he found a New Testament, opened it 'at random', as we might say, and read the following words.'Don’t participate in the darkness of wild parties and drunkenness, or in sexual promiscuity and immoral living, or in quarrelling and jealousy. Instead, clothe yourself with the presence of the Lord Jesus Christ. And don’t let yourself think about ways to indulge your evil desires.' (Romans 13.13-14)
These words seemed to speak clearly into his life, exactly describing the challenge he was facing, so then and there, he gave his life to Jesus.
His name was Augustine, from North Africa, and this event took place in Milan in 386 AD, where his faithful mother, Monica, had enlisted the help of Ambrose, who was the godly Bishop of Milan. Augustine went on to become one of the most brilliant and influential theologians of the early centuries of the growing Christian church.
But what Augustine discovered is what St. Paul had also discovered, that when we become followers of Jesus Christ, we clothe ourselves in his character, and his Spirit grows that character in us.
Our summer series on the Fruit of the Spirit has made this clear.'But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!' (Galatians 5.22-23)
So every day, instead of merely eating 'five a day' pieces of fruit, all of us are called to cooperate with the Spirit of Jesus in developing this 'Nine a Day' character. If we do this, Jesus is glorified and others are blessed. There is a brilliant website which helps us with this. Check it out. http://www.9aday.org.uk/
Best wishes,
Richard
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