Disney’s adventure Oz the Great and Powerful first portrays shady illusionist Oscar Diggs struggling in a small town circus. After being swept away by a tornado, he pleads with God to save him from the storm.

Oscar, nicknamed Oz, plummets into the land of Oz. Here, the following changes transpire:

• Black and white fades into vibrant color and visual dazzle
• Oz finds a second chance in life
• Despite the challenges, Oz finds purpose by using his talent to help the people of Oz
• Oz finds that the greatness he yearns for is found through a different path than how he first envisioned

Changes

On the grander stage of real life—over 2,000 years ago—Jesus shared how one can make a major life altering change.

• Change that miraculously begins under a new Master
• Change that cleanses sin ridden hearts and creates new life within
• Change where dullness fades to vibrant light and color due to a relationship with the living God
• Change that positively affects us and our relationships in this life and in life after death
• Change that results in love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, wisdom, comfort, and purpose

Why do we need to change? Change from what?

Since the fall of Adam and Eve, we are born with this sin problem (Psalm 51:5). Our sin offends God, displacing Him from His rightful reign in our lives. The end result?

For the wages of sin is death. . .”

But . . .

The gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”  – Romans 6:23

Do I hear an amen?

In a land that applauds the notion that truth is relative, the message of Christ being the only way to God the Father and to spiritual life is unpopular, but this is the truth that never changes.

What is the difference between accepting and rejecting Christ?

Heaven and hell. Life and death (John 3:36).

And it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment. . . .”  – Hebrews 9:27

Surrendering to and following Christ is worth any temporal sacrifice.

We each must choose. None of us, who are able to understand, will be exempt (Romans 1:19-20).

I tell you the truth, whoever hears my word and believes Him [God] who sent me has eternal life and will not be condemned; he has crossed over from death to life.”  – John 5:24

“Eternal life”—new life and a relationship with God—begins the moment one accepts Jesus as Savior. This life is completely dependent on God and lasts forever. When one accepts this free gift, the Holy Spirit resides within the believer. And physical death is only a prelude to living forever with God and with each other. This is the great news of the gospel.