Don't I Know You From Somewhere?

How do you realize there has been change in your life?  For instance, when you were in high school folks thought a certain way about you and then--somewhere down the road or when it's class reunion time--they see you after x amount of years and they say to you "You haven't changed a bit!" or "Wow! If I hadn't read your name tag I would have never recognized you!"  Have the years changed you or are you the same person you've always been?

II Corinthians 13:5 tells us to examine our selves.  Now, the former English teacher in me thinks that "our selves" should be one word.  However, I think this means we are to examine we--me is to examine me, you is to examine you.  Got it?  A lot of good it does me to tell you what's wrong with you and disregard the things I need to change in my own self.  Remember the story of the mote and the plank found in Matthew 7:3-5?  

And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye?  Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me pull out the mote out of thine eye; and, behold, a beam is in thine own eye?  Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother's eye.

Next, how do we prove that we are different, that we are new creatures in Christ? That one's a little tougher, isn't it? Especially to those we grew up with or those that have known us since birth. Witnessing to family members is often the hardest sale one will make. Remember even Jesus Himself had trouble with this. Why, His own family thought he had lost His mind!

And He came home, and the crowd gathered again, to such an extent that they could not even eat a meal.  When His own people heard of this, they went out to take custody of Him; for they were saying, "He has lost His senses."  Mark 3:20-21

Thirdly, how do we know we are indeed living by faith and not just convinced we are saved when there are often doubts that arise to make us unsure?  That one is a little tougher for some--especially if they have been adamantly told that if they can't remember the exact time and moment that salvation happened then they probably aren't saved to begin with.  Hmn.  Guess I'll have to combat that with some more scripture!

And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life. These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.     1 John 5:11‑13 

Friends, it doesn't have to be a mystery.  When we examine ourselves and see the evidence of Christ in our lives, when we prove that we aren't the same souls we used to be, and when we know that Jesus saved us in spite of what others may try to tell us, then we can rest assured that we are His children and not Satan's spawns.  Yes, there are going to be those who try to drag us back down and/or back to a place where they were more comfortable (perhaps) in knowing us, since it relieves them of the pressure of dealing with their own salvation issues.  After all, if our lives don't convince them that Jesus has changed us, then why would they see the need in themselves to seek Him for their own assurance?  Does that make sense?  If we are living a life that pleases God, the world is not going to embrace us.  They aren't going to want to accept us as His children because too often that makes them check up on their own selves and see what is lacking, see Who is lacking.  On the other hand, for those who have been delightfully excited to see the change Jesus made in us, then we can offer hope, renew faith, and encourage them to keep on with their own witnessing efforts so that the name of Jesus Christ is lifted up.

Let's pray!

Dear Lord, how I hope You can use my muddled thoughts and words to encourage those who may be questioning their lives today.  Too many times as young Christians, we are swayed by what others say we should be and how we should act.  Help us, I ask, to seek You, to read Your Word, and to allow You to teach us what we need to know to prove that You have saved us and we are Yours and haven't been misled in our trust.  Give us strong role models who have been examined by the trials of faith so that we may use their examples to--not to measure up to but...not to be our role models...Um, Lord?  Maybe give us folks to teach us through their lives how You have worked in them to make them the better people that are now versus who they used to be.  Grant us teachers and preachers who know You, You, The King of Glory, the Lover of our souls, and the Redeemer of man.  May we grow closer to You each moment of our lives is my earnest prayer, asked in the name of Jesus.  Amen.