Jack.
He strolled into our Saturday addiction ministry service about two years ago led by one of our faithful men, Fred Spencer, who went to high school with Fred and was very concerned about his old friend. Jack had led a tough life full of struggle and some not so good choices.
That was then. In the last few weeks, even on a recent Sunday, Jack shouted at me one more time “I am the righteousness of Christ”. And he meant it.
Daily this gentleman would pour over the word of God. Before getting a new Bible at Christmas, one that was much easier to read, Jack would read his Bible and often call his pastor friend in Georgia to discuss what he was reading. Jack had fallen in love with his God and the word of God.
His testimony was strong. One that several people heard first hand about the power of addiction and the results of those choices. One of his children who had continued to make tough choices and had issues of various kinds.
Jack’s life changed dramatically the last two years. At first Fred was the one who brought him to church. Later our church van, driven by Kenny, would pick him up at his home about a mile from the church. Then his care giver and daughter in law Janet started coming to church with Jack every chance she got.
His walker kept Jack steady and upright because without that help he was struggling to keep his balance and stay on the go. Often at the end of the worship service Jack would stand to his feet, grab his wheeled walker and make his way to me for prayer. He always spoke of wanting to be being stronger in faith and understand more of the Word of God.
In our prayer times he would share about Debbie who needed Christ and his children that Jack continued to pray for. This man was new, changed and sold out to his savior Jesus.
2 Corinthians 5:17 NLT
This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!
Jack was changed. His truth like mine was that Jesus saved him, forgave his sin and changed his outlook on everything. His testimony was no longer about self but his savior.
2 Corinthians 5:21 NIV
God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.
He said this to me so many times over the last several months… I am the righteousness of Christ! He understood it and was grateful.
About six years ago he had a stroke that left him having to be cared for. A little over a week ago Jack had an aneurysm that he never recovered from. This past Tuesday just before lunch Jack Martin walked in to heaven a changed man, totally healed and entering the place God prepared for him.
I will miss my friend, but what hits me most today are the people that Jack touched through his testimony of a changed life through the goodness of our God.
Help me celebrate the promises of God that we saw in this man’s life. I am grateful for Jack.
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