Lepers No More

Ex-convicts in general, and former sex offenders in particular, are treated as outcasts in modern society. Once a person is assigned a label of "ex-convict", "felon", or "sex offender", they are set up for many unique lifetime challenges and trials other people typically do not endure. Internally, they are burdened with guilt and shame over their past, and are often hopeless to think anything good could ever come of their lives. Externally, they are treated by the world as if they were "less than", "separated", "unclean", "damaged goods", and "disfigured". People often become fearful in their presence, and assume that they can't or won't ever change. In a remarkably striking sense, they might be considered as modern day "lepers".Many of us first heard of lepers, and leprosy as a disease, from reading the Bible or hearing Bible stories as children. In Biblical days, once a person was diagnosed as having leprosy they had to keep their head shaved and their clothes torn. They were considered "outcasts" from society. The Hebrew custom of tearing one's clothing was an expression of extraordinary emotion, usually of grief, terror, or horror. The tearing of one's clothes was also an expression of anger or despair. Among the people, they had to maintain a distance and constantly cry out, "unclean"! In contrast to the rest of society, Jesus was neither repulsed by, nor fearful of, lepers in His time of ministry here on Earth. He allowed them into His close Presence; and, listened to, touched, healed, blessed and loved them. Jesus is still seeking and saving the lost, even those of us who are labeled felons, ex-convicts or sex offenders - modern day "lepers".Of course, He is also seeking and saving those who have never been incarcerated - addicts, liars, cowards, gossipers, adulterers, idolaters, thieves, drunkards, swindlers; as well as the immoral, proud and covetous. Jesus loves us all, and wants us to choose to follow Him, and fall forever in love with Him.When we do, truly, we will be lepers no more! Find out how this can be true for you!

• | Author: Stephen Canup
• | Publisher: Freedom In Jesus Ministries, Inc
• | Publication Date: Aug 07, 2023
• | Number of Pages: 212 pages
• | Language: English
• | Binding: Paperback
• | ISBN-10: 1735252948
• | ISBN-13: 9781735252940