The evangelism of "what we once were"

Scripture:
"When they came to Jesus, they saw the man who had been possessed by the legion of demons, sitting there, dressed and in his right mind; and they were afraid." (Mark 5:15 NIV) "As Jesus was getting into the boat, the man who had been demon-possessed begged to go with him. Jesus did not let him, but said, “Go home to your own people and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you.” (Mark 5:18-19 NIV)


"When the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself, “If this man were a prophet, he would know who is touching him and what kind of woman she is—that she is a sinner.” (Luke 7:39 NIV) "Truly I tell you, wherever this gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her.” (Matthew 26:13 NIV)


"His neighbors and those who had formerly seen him begging asked, “Isn’t this the same man who used to sit and beg?” Some claimed that he was. Others said, “No, he only looks like him.” But he himself insisted, “I am the man.”... He replied, “Whether he is a sinner or not, I don’t know. One thing I do know. I was blind but now I see!” (John 9:8-9, 25 NIV)


Application:
All people are not always ready to accept the message of the Gospel, even if Jesus Himself were to stand before them and directly tell it. They may, however, be more accepting of seeing the transformation of a sinner.
We may not be theologians capable of quoting the entire Bible verbatim or apologists gifted in debate. We may not be healers. In fact, our pasts may be riddled with shame. But our own story of redemption, i.e., telling how Jesus transformed us into Christians, may be more effective than a personal visit from Jesus or His disciples.


Prayer:
Lord Jesus, show us how to let our lives be a Gospel message. Amen.