I can look back at times in my life when I was wondering around in the dark. I met up with some very close calls that would've taken my life. I chalked it up to being lucky that things worked out the way that they did. Now I know better. What about you? Do you recognize Who Christ is in your own life and the things He has done to prove His love for you? I considered myself to always be a "spiritual" person. I knew there was a God Who looked over me, but I never imagined it could be such a personal relationship as it is today. I once thought of God as out of reach, but now I know better. He's always right beside me, guiding me, leading me into His truth and His light, showing me every step to take. I use to give myself all the credit when things went right in my life, chalking it up to the fact that I was a good person. Isn't this the way most of us think before we meet Jesus face to face? This makes me think of the time in the Bible according the gospel of Luke when Christ was crucified and the people didn't know what they had, only now that He was gone, they were wondering if perhaps He really was the One. Two of the disciples were walking and talking with eachother about the events that had just happened. Just then Jesus appeared to them but they didn't recognize who He was. They never looked right at him, they were downcast. When we don't look at Jesus, we won't recognize Him either. Cleopas asked Jesus if He hadn't heard the news about His own death. (Lk.24:18) They continued to tell Him that the tomb was empty. Jesus replied, "O foolish ones (sluggish in mind, dull of perception) and slow of heart to believe (adhere to and trust in and rely on) everything that the prophets have spoken!" Lk. 24:25 (Amplified) Even though these men were followers of Christ and He had told them exactly how it would happen, they still doubted even what they saw. Aren't we like that today? There are those who may have been told but still can't see Jesus when He's right in front of them! This is such a sad realization. These people, who were told exactly the accounts that would happen because it was God's plan for salvation of those who were sinners and had no other way out. Face it, if God didn't love us so much, He would've and could've just thrown His hands up in disgust and let us destroy ourselves out of being...but He didn't. So, as the three men continued walking, Jesus explained and interpreted the Scriptures concerning Himself. This holds true of us even today. If we don't hear the true word given to us by anointed pastors, preachers and teachers we won't understand what God is trying to tell us either. The sad fact is, there are many pastors, preachers and teachers who have appointed themselves, and were never anointed by God to give His Word. So, these so called messengers are most likely giving false doctrine by not rightly dividing it. God warns us of what will happen when His Word is added to or taken away from. "And if anyone cancels or takes away from the statements of the book of this prophecy (these predictions relating to Christ's kingdom and its speedy triumph, together with the consolations and admonitions or warnings pertaining to them), God will cancel and take away from him his share in the tree of life and in the city of holiness (purity and hallowedness), which are described and promised in this book." Rev. 22:19 (Amplified) But, when we hear God's true Word, we will see Jesus in our lives, just as these two men did. They urged Him to come into their house and eat with them. Jesus also tells us that if we invite Him in He will eat with us also. (Rev. 3:20) All we have to do is answer the door when He knocks. As they reclined at the table, Jesus gave thanks and asked a blessing. He broke bread and instantly their eyes were opened. They saw clearly and recognized Him. (Lk. 24:31) After that He vanished and they were greatly moved. Jesus effects us like that today when we break bread with Him and see Him clearly for Who He is. They suddenly understood once they heard the Scriptures taught the way they were suppose to be taught. If we aren't hearing them in their true form today, we will never see Jesus either. Today people are being taught scripture as a form of "sin management". We hear the things taken out of context that make "us" feel better about ourselves and Christ is not even present in the process. Without Christ, God's Word doesn't mean a thing, because Christ is the Word, made flesh. As I began to study and learn and rightly divide God's Word in my own life, I began to see Jesus more clearly and just how much He means to me. I can now look back on my life and realize that even though I was operating in the world, He still was walking right beside me, just begging me to let Him in. Being a gentleman, He never pushed or forced His way in, but rather just quietly, patiently tugged at my heart strings waiting for the day when I would humble myself and admit that I truly needed Him as my Lord and Savior. Oh sure, I still have trials, they don't go away, in fact I'm pretty sure they get more intense. But, with Jesus at my side, I'm not afraid of going through them. It makes life a whole lot brighter just knowing that He will take me through each and every one, as long as I continue to believe in, rely on and adhere to Him in faith. How do I know this? Because He told me so! If you're not walking in faith today, stop and listen and see if you can't hear Him knocking on your door. Once you invite Him in, no longer will He be a stranger among you. He will be your best friend! Our highest privilege is to talk to God; our highest duty is to listen to Him. |
