Redemption is for Everyone

I have been asked to substitute teach a Sunday School class this Sunday, so, just as I did when I taught Primary, I'm going to spend at least one or two blog posts planning that lesson, which will cover Acts 6-15. These chapters include a handful of stories whose messages work well together, most notably Saul's conversion and the opening of the Gospel to the Gentiles. One lesson we can draw from each of these stories is the same lesson I drew from the crucifixion of Jesus; "God is no respecter of persons" (Acts 10:34). Anyone can repent and be forgiven, including those who crucified their Savior, those who persecuted the church, and those who were previously considered "unclean."

This is a message of hope for each of us and for all mankind. Anyone can repent and become converted, even the most degenerate people who ever lived. So instead of judging others and writing them off as hopeless, we should try to be compassionate and offer them the opportunity to repent, because we know they can.

Of course, it will still be their choice. Even a visit from an angel isn't a sure-fire way to make someone turn their lives around. It worked for Saul and for Alma the Younger, but it didn't work for Laman and Lemuel. If even an angel can fail to change certain hearts, so can we. We can only offer others the opportunity to repent and encourage them to do so. They are ultimately the ones who need to choose how they live their lives. And, admittedly, I remember once hearing that past behavior is the best predictor of future behavior. However, we have scriptural accounts that people can change suddenly and dramatically, if they have the right motivation. If Saul and Alma the Younger can go from persecuting the church to trying to build it up, so can anyone.

Naturally, conversion stories aren't usually that dramatic or that short. As I wrote yesterday, God grows our knowledge by degrees, thus our testimonies also grow "line upon line," more often than not. This is why patience is also required. We can't expect anyone to change overnight, not even ourselves. Good habits take a while to develop, and old habits die hard. So, while anyone can change, we shouldn't expect it to be quick or easy for anyone.

Still, if one has enough time and/or motivation, change is always possible. Anyone can repent, and God openly welcomes all who do, so we, too, should be open to welcoming all those who are willing to change. As we learned with Saul and the Gentiles over these two weeks, redemption is available to everyone.