The Power of the Gospel

“And when Jesus came to the place, He looked up and said to him, ‘Zaccheus, hurry and come down, for today I must stay at your house.’ And he hurried and came down, and received Him gladly. And when they saw it, they all began to grumble, saying, ‘He has gone to be the guest of a man who is a sinner.’ And Zaccheus stopped and said to the Lord, ‘Behold, Lord, half of my possessions I will give to the poor, and if I have defrauded anyone of anything, I will give back four times as much.’ And Jesus said to him, ‘Today salvation has come to this house, because he, too, is a son of Abraham. For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost.’” Luke 19:5-10

On May 15, 1972, Alabama Governor George Wallace was shot by a 21-year-old gunman. The bullet caused permanent paralysis from the waist down, bringing to an end his run for U.S. president. However, his eternal future became brighter.

Wallace had always been a controversial politician. In 1963, his staunch segregationists views had led President Kennedy to enforce integration in Alabama by federalizing the National Guard. But the body-changing experience from being shot, along with the death of his wife, Lurleen, would alter his mind and heart as well.

During his spiritual metamorphosis, Wallace began seeking forgiveness from civil rights’ leaders he had so strongly opposed. As a result, in the Alabama governor’s race in 1982, an overwhelming number of African Americans voted for Wallace. In turn, he appointed many African Americans to political positions.

At his death in 1998, his pastor would say, “I believe the legacy of George Wallace is in his conversion to Christ and a changed heart.”

Always remember - People can deny the existence of God, tell you there is no eternity, and that they don’t believe the Bible, but they cannot deny the change that God makes in your life. They can reject your testimony, but they cannot deny it!