When we become Christians, our lives change for the better, we'll never be the same again. Obviously, some things within us take a little time to comply with our new self and, some things may take a life time. But, we are not what we used to be.
Tony Evans writes: 'A ship belongs in the water, but the water doesn't belong in the ship. You are to be in the world, but the world should not be in you.' When you come to believe in Jesus, you belong to Him and situations change. Whereas you first belonged to the world, the day you signed up to the kingdom of heaven, you accepted Jesus as your Lord and Saviour and you now belong to Him.
Therefore, things have changed. The things you did when you belonged to the world, rather like water should not be in the ship, you should cease living as if you belong to the world. You have moved on; you have changed directions.
There needs to be changes, you can't have both. But it doesn't mean that you should lock yourself away from everyone and have nothing to do with people. No, there is life out there and, Jesus wants you to be a part of it. 'Yes, but I shouldn't go into a pub any longer, should I?' Why not, just because you are a Christian now, doesn't mean that you should not enjoy yourself. And anyway, unbelievers are there aren't they? Didn't Jesus go where unbelievers went? What about the tax collectors He associated with? What about Mary Magdalene and the many others. Jesus was after changing lives. An evangelist is lost within a church full of believers. He or she, are after the unsaved, so they go where they will find them. The difference is, when you go into a pub, you should go as an ambassador of Jesus - not acting as some unbelievers do, getting drunk out of their head. You are there as a witness and even though your visit there may be uneventful, the people have witnessed that you are 'normal' and this for them, is a step forward.
So get it right, you are not of this world, you are now part of Jesus. Go where Jesus used to go to meet with, and associate with unbelievers. However, let them be changed by your presence, not you being changed back into there's.
If you don't know Jesus or, have fallen away, why not say this prayer right now:
Lord Jesus, I have sinned
I ask you to forgive me and be my Lord and Saviour. Please come into my heart, fill me with Your Spirit and give me a brand new start today.
In Jesus' Name. Amen'
Copyright 2024 Grahame Howard.
dailylifewithjesusbygrahamehoward.blogspot.com
If you would like to contact me, grahame.howard@hotmail.co.uk
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