This Is My Story #1- Simon

Miraculous conversion stories followed the early church. Too often we focus on the miracles of tongues, healings, deliverance from jail, etc., but we miss the most important miracle of all, namely, the salvation of lost people. The Gospel was and still is central to the Christian faith. In this series we will be exploring the stories of people who were miraculously saved against all odds. We want everyone to think of his or her own conversion story and consider sharing it (watch for details). We want to make sure that you are ready to go to heaven, and by God’s grace, that you will bring someone with you. Imagine the stories we’ll hear in heaven. Not everyone who is baptized and part of the church and is witness to miracles is converted. Simon’s story is shocking. He seems to be converted, but he’s not. At first, we read that Simon believed and was baptized, but then we see an ugly side of him, a greedy, power-hungry side. The Apostle Peter declares that his heart is not right with God, that he is evil; that he is full of bitter jealousy and that he is held captive to sin. Peter was able to discern this because of what Jesus taught: “Not all who sound religious are really godly people. They may refer to me as ‘Lord,’ but still won’t get to heaven. For the decisive question is whether they obey my Father in heaven. 22 At the Judgment many will tell me, ‘Lord, Lord, we told others about you and used your name to cast out demons and to do many other great miracles.’ 23 But I will reply, ‘You have never been mine. Go away, for your deeds are evil.’