Back in the 1940s and 50s, there was a gangster in Hollywood by the name of Mickey Cohen.

Mickey Cohen had a partner in crime. His name was Jim Voss. In 1949, Jim Voss and did a Billy Graham crusade in Hollywood.

In fact, that is the one crusade that propelled Billy Graham into the national scene.

And he came forward to receive Christ.

In that moment, he gave up the life of crime.

He actually went out and sold his house, sold his car, sold all his possessions

in order to make restitutions for his crimes. A few years later, he actually formed a great

organization, great discipleship ministry called Youth Development Inc. Jim Voss told Mickey Cowan of what had happened to him and how God transformed

his life as he committed his life to Jesus Christ, how he is thoroughly being converted to Christ.

Well, Mickey Cohen became very interested, and he attended a private meeting with Billy Graham,

with few others.

Later, Mickey Cohen goes to one of those crusades, and at the time of the invitation, he comes forward and says that he received Christ into his life.

A few days later, it appeared that Mickey Cohen was still hanging out with the other gangsters

and back into the life of underground activities.

And so when Jim and a couple of members of the Billy Graham team went over to see him,

and they began to explain to him.

Mickey, you made a commitment to Christ.

How come you go back to the life of being a gangster?

Here's what Mickey said in response.

And I'll read it.

You never told me that I have to give up my career and my friends to follow Jesus. There are Christian movie star, there are Christian athletes, a Christian

businessman. What's the matter of being a Christian gangster? If I have to give up all that, if that's Christianity, count me out.

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