Recently, a 2492 carat diamond weighing over a pound was found in Botswana in southern Africa.
Diamonds are formed by carbon particles, black coal, being put under extreme pressures for long periods of time. The process that the black carbon goes through to become that clear crystalline beautiful material called diamonds is something else. Now a diamond cutter and polisher will go to work and make it even something more beautiful.
Thinking of that big raw diamond reminds me of something in the Bible.
Anyone that has not repented of their sins and put their faith in the Lord Jesus Christ is like that black carbon coal, headed for the furnace to be burned up.
Luke 13:3 No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.
Romans 3:23 ...for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,...
Revelation 20:15 And if anyone's name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.
But if anyone has repented and confessed their sins, asking forgiveness and calling upon Jesus Christ to save them, or be their Lord and Savior, something happens.
Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
John 1:12 But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God,
Acts 4:12 And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”
Philippians 2:10 ... so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth,...
There is a change inside we become different like that raw diamond. It is called being born again, not physically, but born from the Spirit of the crucified, resurrected, living Savior Jesus Christ.
John 3:3,16 Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.” / For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.
Acts 2:38 And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
Acts 3:19 Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out,...
It is then that the Holy Spirit starts to transform us on the inside or that new nature of Jesus starts to work.
Titus 3:5 ...he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit,...
2 Corinthians 3:18 And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.
The Holy Spirit transforms us into more Christ likeness.
Romans 8:29 For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.
John 5:24 Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life.
See you in Church next Sunday.