The Reluctant Christian

8“Also I say to you, whoever confesses Me before men, him the Son of Man also will confess before the angels of God. 9“But he who denies Me before men will be denied before the angels of God. 10“And anyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man, it will be forgiven him; but to him who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit, it will not be forgiven."
Luke 12: 8 - 10 NKJV

I overheard a conversation between two friend on the streets of Portland this week.  As these two ladies walked down the street, one lamented about how she did not feel at all safe expressing her faith in Jesus in such a unreligoius environment as Portland.  Now, I somewhat agree with this reluctant christian, but for the most part I believe that we should never be ashamed of He who shed His blood for us.  Yet, some may allow their own fear of retaliation to take over in these situations.  What right do we have to push Jesus on others?  Who made us the judge of everyone else?  Each of these arguments, of course, is completely bogus.  For Christ Himself charged those who followed Him to speak of His gospel to all.  Trust me, I have been in these situations more times than I can count.  Usually, I do not get too extreme of a reaction when I tell others of my faith in Christ, but I have run into my share of people who immediately assume that I am just another Jesus freak out there to force them into seeing things from my point of view.  I usually don't pay them too much attention.  If there is one thing I have learned in my time it's that NOBODY can force anyone else to believe something that they do not want to.  It just doesn't work that way.  Now, someone may CHOOSE to hear of my faith in Jesus and based on my own testimony, turn their attentions towards Jesus.  But to force someone to believe what I do?  Come on, man.  Indeed, if we were to force others into the belief of Christ, that would take away from what Jesus wanted for us.  I believe that He did not want robots who would believe anything, but those who searched for Him willingly in their own hearts.

1Now faith is the asubstance of things hoped for, the bevidence of things not seen. 2For by it the elders obtained a good testimony. 3By faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that the things which are seen were not made of things which are visible.4By faith Abel offered to God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, through which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts; and through it he being dead still speaks. 5By faith Enoch was taken away so that he did not see death, “and was not found, because God had taken him”; for before he was taken he had this testimony, that he pleased God. 6But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.
Hebrews 11: 1 - 6 NKJV

I can honestly say that I dislike saleman with a passion.  Why?  Because they are trying to force their product upon me.  They are trying to influence me in such a way that I will purchase what they are selling, and they will use any means at their disposal in doing so.  No, I don't like saleman at all.  Knowing this, what would make you think that I would tolerate someone who would try their best to force me to trust in Christ?  That simply wouldn't fly.  The ONLY way I would ever come to that realization of Christ Jesus in me is by that revelation in my own spirit by my heavenly Father {Galations 1:15-16}.  Now, God never forces nor compells His children to see His Son in them, but reveals this truth to them by His love and grace in His own timing.  You know, I wish all saleman worked like that.  That brings me to yet another point.  Are we saleman for Jesus, or are we revealers of what He has done in our own lives?  I would prefer to be known as one who, through my own testimony, caused a stirring in anothers spirit.  Sadly, there are many in todays church who take each and every opportunity afforded to them to be salesman for Christ.  It is as if one would be saved through the shame and condemnation of others.  To avoid this hard sell, you need to join the Jesus clique my friends.  Then you too can compell others into what you believe.  Yeah, you keep telling yourself that.  Personally, I want no part of a congregation where the gospel and truth of Christ Jesus is forced but not taught.  But, that's just me.  You do what you do.  There was no compulsion in my own realization of Jesus in me.  No, it was through the testimony and thoughts of a close friend that my own spirit received that revelation.  Thank goodness I'm no longer the reluctant christian.

 42And they said, “Is not this Jesus, the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know? How is it then that He says, ‘I have come down from heaven’?” 43Jesus therefore answered and said to them, h“Do not murmur among yourselves. 44“No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him; and I will raise him up at the last day. 45“It is written in the prophets, ‘And they shall all be taught by God.’ Therefore everyone who ihas heard and learned from the Father comes to Me."
John 6: 42 - 45 NKJV

~Scott~

Identity Crisis

19Then Jesus answered and said to them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of Himself, but what He sees the Father do; for whatever He does, the Son also does in like manner. 20“For the Father loves the Son, and shows Him all things that He Himself does; and He will show Him greater works than these, that you may marvel. 21“For as the Father raises the dead and gives life to them, even so the Son gives life to whom He will. 22“For the Father judges no one, but has committed all judgment to the Son, 23“that all should honor the Son just as they honor the Father. He who does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent Him.
John 5: 19 - 23 NKJV

The other night I was watching some mind over matter, phsychological guru on tv who seemed to make a pretty outlandish claim.  Here was this guy telling all who were watching his little infomercial that we are all...who we feel that we are.  Well, I immediately turned this fool off and returned to watching the game of the day.  But something about what he had said kept knawing away at me for some reason.  Don't get me wrong, I could see his point to an extent.  But, was I indeed who I thought I was?  If I was, then who was I?  Am I Scott, a flesh and blood creation with thoughts, feelings and emotions?  Or am I someone else entirely?  It has been said that Christ Jesus is the image of the invisible God {Colossions 1:15}.  That is, when we see Christ we are in fact seeing His Father who sent Him.  I would agree that those of Christs time would only know of God through that appearance of Jesus befor them.  When I was growing up, many of my dads family would often comment on how much I resembled him.  Like father like son I guess.  However, despite the fact that I physically resembled my own father...we were completely different.  Indeed, I have never thought of myself as being like my own father.  Therefore, I guess from the infomercial dudes logic, I wasn't him.  Brilliant.  Again I asked myself the question, who am I?  Yes, I know that I am Scott, but who is he?  This round about reasoning continued for a few days until one morning as I stood in front of the mirror it hit me.  I already knew who I was!  Yes, I know my name, but it is not my physical appearance which others see that define me.  I have a new identity which has been revealed to me by my heavenly Father.  I...am Christ.

20“I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me."
Galations 2:20 NKJV

A few years back, a very wise friend of mine had given me some very important advice in regards to my fitness goals.  He told me that if indeed I intended to reach my goal weight, I would need to see myself as a 200 pound person.  For once I trusted this true vision of myself then my behaviors would fall in line accordingly.  At the time it sounded like a pretty good idea.  Mind over matter as they say.  I recalled my friends advice the other night as I sat and watched tv.  Again I'll pose the question, who am I?  Well, if I were to ask the apostle Paul who it is that he was, I'm sure that he would respond with something that resembled the reality of Christ Jesus in him.  See, as Paul saw it, he no longer existed but that Christ lived in him {Galations 2:20}.  This verse is more than just a feel good Sunday morning pulpit pounder sermon topic.  In fact, I would argue that one would not see this topic mentioned all too often in our churches today, and to me that's a shame.  I believe that we as christians today are suffering from a real identity crisis.  Sure, we can talk about how hard we try to be closer to God and to be more like Him, but how many of us really realize that...we ARE Him?  For that very same Spirit of Christ Jesus that lived through Paul also lives through us today.  That's right, Christ lives today through us.  So, how is it that christians of today can embrace this truth?  The same way that my friend has told me that I seeing myself as a 200 pound person will go a long way towards achieving my fitness goals.  For when I start seeing myself as a fit person, then in return my behaviors will soon began reflecting how it is that I see myself.  The more that we see ourselves as that Spirit image of Christ Jesus in us and not simply flesh and blood the more that true image of ourselves will be accepted.  Maybe infomercial dude was right after all.

15He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. 16For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him. 17And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist.
Colossions 1: 15 - 17 NKJV

~Scott~

A Place To Hang Our Hat

19“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; 20“but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21“For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."
Matthew 6: 19 21 NKJV

I work with a man who has what some would call a undying loyalty to his college football team.  So much does his own world revolve around his team, that his daily mood will at times depend upon if his beloved team won or lost that previous saturdays game.  At times I thought that this was pretty petty and foolish, until I realized that I was guilty of the very same beliefs at times.  Now, I grew up a Minnesota Vikings fan, so I know what it's like to be on the losing end of more than a few games.  However, I guess that I could say that I have not allowed my teams performance on the field dictate my own mood very often.  Yes, it has happened, but not too often.  No, I've let other things which I've layed my hat on dictate how it is that I feel.  Things like money, possessions and my place in life determine how I went through my day.  Jesus Himself reminded us in Matthew 6 that we should be well aware of those things where we often hang our hats.  For as Christ told us, "where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." {Matthew 6:21}  So where is it that our hearts are today?  Where is it that we hang our hats?  It may be very easy for us to tie our own self worth and confidence in those things which Jesus claimed "where moth and rust destroy."  That is, if we are not aware of where our hearts truly dwell.  If we are unaware of who we truly are.  What is it that defines us?  Is it those possessions which we all too often accumulate over a lifetime, or is it something deeper than that?  How much importance are we placing on others, on our relationships...on Christ?  Not too long ago, a friend of mine would reference two types of people, those with a heart for self and those with a heart for others.  What type are you?  Where is it that you hang your hat?

 15And He said to them, “Take heed and beware of covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses.”16Then He spoke a parable to them, saying: “The ground of a certain rich man yielded plentifully. 17“And he thought within himself, saying, ‘What shall I do, since I have no room to store my crops?’ 18“So he said, ‘I will do this: I will pull down my barns and build greater, and there I will store all my crops and my goods. 19‘And I will say to my soul, “Soul, you have many goods laid up for many years; take your ease; eat, drink, and be merry.” ’ 20“But God said to him, ‘Fool! This night your soul will be required of you; then whose will those things be which you have provided?’ 21“So is he who lays up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.”
Luke 12: 15 - 21 NKJV

When I speak of where our hearts are, I obviously am speaking of what are those things in our lives that we place value on.  For the apostle Paul there was no doubt where he hung his hat.  To Paul, to live was Christ {Philippians 1:21}.  Christ Jesus had such importance in Pauls life that He was where Paul hung his hat, He was where Paul placed his own trust.  Can we say the same?  We can if we know where we stand with Jesus ourselves.  See, Jesus isn't just some supernatural being who sits in heaven waiting to judge those who sin on a daily basis.  That was the old covenant and we're long past that.  No, far from being removed from us, Jesus today is closer to our own hearts than we think.  Again, Paul knew where to hang his hat.  He explained that it was no longer he who lived, but Christ who lived in him {Galations 2:20}.  You could say that Jesus had hung His own hat in Paul.  This is what He does with all of us who accept Him.  Or, we could hang our own hats on Christ as well.  Either way you look at it, that focus in our life will switch from that which we possess to Christ who is in us.  Once this happens, those things and events in our lives will no longer dictate how it is we will ultimately feel.  We will be safe in the knowledge that it is Christ Jesus who resides in our own hearts.  No one can steal that away from you.

19For I know that this will turn out for my deliverance through your prayer and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ, 20according to my earnest expectation and hope that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ will be magnified in my body, whether by life or by death. 21For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain.
Philippians 1: 19 - 21 NKJV

~Scott~

Words That Hurt

9Also He spoke this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others: 10“Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. 11“The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, ‘God, I thank You that I am not like other men—extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this tax collector. 12‘I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I possess.’ 13“And the tax collector, standing afar off, would not so much as raise his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me a sinner!’ 14“I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.”
Luke 18: 9 - 14 NKJV

Thank God I'm not like THAT guy!  There I was in line at a locla store as I looked down upon some guy who came in wearing dirty clothes and digging in his pockets for enough change to but a pack of cigarettes.  It never occured to me in the heat of the moment that maybe this man was in the middle of the struggle of his life.  Then again, how many times have I been that recepient of anothers harsh words?  I've lost count.  This week, Wayne Jacobsen and his sidekick debated as to just why it seems that our culture, our society is full of far too many people who ridicule, insult and otherwise make others feel like garbage.  Hey, newsflash Wayne, this culture of uncivility is nothing new to the human race.  So, Wayne, how many times have you yourself talked down to someone huh?  My point is, like my own experiences, we have all at one point or another have used our own words to cause harm to others.  James refers to ones tongue as full of deadly poison {James 3:8}.  So, with more than a few scriptural references to pride and our untamable tongues, our own bad behaviors is suddenly news to Wayne Jacobsen?  Come on, man.  One of the reasons I have given up watching any type of evening news program is simply because of the fact that not only are they one sided and biased, but full of harsh words as well.  So, what is it that makes us think that this world which our heavenly Father created suddenly revolves around us?  I'll tell you what, pride.  Or, more specifically, that belief that we ourselves are in charge of all that surrounds us in this world.  Our small group has taken to refering to this as the independent self, and it's a lie perpetrated by satan {Genesis 3:4-5}.  We do well to remember that our heavenly Father is indeed that creator of all which we see, including ourselves {Genesis 2:7}.  So tell me, if we ourselves are created beings, how is it that we can entertain the thought that we are the least bit independent from He who created us?  Yet the lie lives on in many christians today.

9In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him. 10In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins. 11Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.
1 John 3: 9 -11 NKJV

Walk into any sunday sermon and I'm sure that you will hear such catch phrases as, "Be more like Jesus, get closer to Him' and "what would Jesus do?"  Each one of these statements might give someone the idea that they were all alone in this life and that God was far removed from our lives.  One might get that idea, if one did not know the very truth of Christ Jesus that we have today.  That is, that it is we ourselves who no longer live, but that Christ lives in us {Galations 2:20}.  This very fact flies right in the face of that lie which the enemy has perpetrated from the begining.  How is it that, if Christ lives through us today, that we need to be more like Him?  How is it that we need to get closer to Him?  Far too few christians today live with that confidence that they are but vessels by which Jesus lives through us.  I would venture to bet that if more people knew their true identities in Jesus that the local pulpit pounders would become less important.  Oh, we couldn't have that could we?  So it is that we dutifully march into church each and every sunday to listen to someone who more often than not is himself a slave to the belief of the independent self tell us that we need to get closer to God.  Does anyone but me see a issue with this?  Yet we wonder why it is that many are so uncivil to those around them.  That happens when we see ourselves as more important than others around us.  Needless to say, we need more "He" and less "me."

20“I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me."
Galations 2:20 NKJV

~Scott~

Eyes To See

17But Jesus, being aware of it, said to them, “Why do you reason because you have no bread? Do you not yet perceive nor understand? Is your heart still hardened? 18“Having eyes, do you not see? And having ears, do you not hear? And do you not remember?"
Mark 8: 17 - 18 NKJV

There is a reason by which Jesus taught by speaking parables or stories.  More than likely it was so that His words would be better understood by those He was speaking to.  In todays parlance we would equate this as to putting something in laymans terms for someone to understand it.  So was Christ putting the gospel in laymans terms?  I believe that He was.  Yet there were still those who would ask of Jesus, "what is this that you are telling us?"  See, these words of Christ were new to those of His day.  Even the teachers in the temple had marveled at the words of this young would be Messiah.  Indeed, not everyone possessed, as Jesus claimed, the eyes to see and the ears to hear.  I dare say that we today also suffer from a lack of vision.  Having eyes to see, we fail to do so.  Having ears to hear, we fail to comprehend.  What is this which we fail to see?  Who we truly are.  A good friend posed a question this week, who is it that we see when we look in that mirror?  Do we see a counterfeirt image, or do we see who it is we truly are?  Who we ultimately see goes a long way to how we see ourselves.  Do we have the eyes to see who we are?  Who is it that we are not seeing?  The apostle Paul gave us the answer in Galations 2.  See, Paul knew who he was.  He had eyes to see.  As far as Paul was concerned, he no longer existed.  In him Christ now dwelled {Galations 2:20}.  Indeed, this is a tough concept to come to terms with.  We tend to see things in the black and white of that which is directly in front of us.  Having eyes, we do not see.  However, it's right there in the pages of scripture just who it is  we really are.  Far too many of us see only the counterfeit image of themselves.  Their eyes are failing to see Christ Jesus who is in them.  I was one of those people.

13“Therefore I speak to them in parables, because seeing they do not see, and hearing they do not hear, nor do they understand. 14“And in them the prophecy of Isaiah is fulfilled, which says: ‘Hearing you will hear and shall not understand, And seeing you will see and not perceive; 15For the hearts of this people have grown dull. Their ears are hard of hearing, And their eyes they have closed, Lest they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears, Lest they should understand with their hearts and turn, So that I should heal them.’ 16“But blessed are your eyes for they see, and your ears for they hear; 17“for assuredly, I say to you that many prophets and righteous men desired to see what you see, and did not see it, and to hear what you hear, and did not hear it."
Matthew 13: 13 - 17 NKJV

How difficult of a concept is this whole Christ in us idea?  Well, difficult enough for Paul to refer to it as the "mystery among the gentiles." {Colossions 1:27}  What is this mystery among the gentiles?  Christ in us, the hope of glory.  For some time I thought that God had stacked the deck agianst me, that I could never perceive this mystery of Christ in me.  That my eyes would be forever closed.  However, in time what occured in the life of Paul happened for me as well.  That is, Christ was revealed to me {Galations 1:15-16}.  It was God Himself who provided this revelation, my eyes had been opened.  I no longer saw a counterfeit image but who I truly am.  Now, that doesn't mean that from time to time I'll forget who I am and see once again that counterfeit Scott image.  Yet that does not change who it is that has been revealed to me that I truly am.  Paul had his doubts at times, yet he understood that for him to live is Christ Jesus in him {Philippians 1:21}.  Paul had eyes to see.  So it is that every now and then I will stand in front of that mirror and see someone who isn't really there, someone who has long ago passed away {Romans 6:6}.  Instead of that old man, looking back at me now is Christ Himself.  Eyes to see.

20“I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me."
Galations 2:20 NKJV

~Scott~

Hope

The Pilgrims made seven times more graves than huts.  No Americans have been more impverished than these who, nevertheless, set aside a day of Thanksgiving.
~H.U. Westermeyer~

I had the opprtunity the other night to watch one of the news shows whichn I rarely see anymore.  This was by personal choice, for I got tired of the media drones and their nightly anti Trump, anti America rhetoric.  Yet, as before, once again I was sucked into their trap.  Nothing had changed, but I really hadn't expected much would.  On one hand you had a polished looking dude who was bemoaning the very fact that this could have been a most thankful Thanksgiving...if not for Donald trump.  As I was reaching for the remote, his female companion claimed that one of the things for which she was thankfull for this year was that the elections were only three years away.  Ok, these are political hacks who get paid to spew their one sided opinions, I get it.  However, almost everywhere I have looked this Thanksgiving season I see people who have somehow lost sight of how it is we got here.  I'm getting to the point where America should have two holidays, the traditional holiday we know as Thanksgiving and another named simply...Thankless.  It seems appropriate.  I get that people are upset with the direction our nation is going in at times, that's expected in a democracy.  But these opinions of discontent have zero to do with why we, as a people, gather with friends and family each year in Thanksgiving.  No, we come together to celebrate that which we are truly thankfull for.  I personally see these attacks on our traditional holidays as a assault on our culture, but that's just one mans opinion.  I would venture to bet that if each of us were to stop a stranger n the street and inquire of them just why it is that we celebrate Thanksgiving that we might receive some very interesting responses.  I'm not foolish enough to believe that the majority of Americans are blind to that true meaning of Thanksgiving, but I believe that we are losing sight of it.  I recall a morning radio show host recalling how thankfull he was to go shopping on black Friday.  Huh?  Ok, popular American culture, I get it.  To me, this is more about being thankless than that true meaning Thanksgiving.

For each new morning with it's light,
For rest and shelter of the night,
For health and food, for love and friends,
For everything thy goodness sends.
~Ralph Waldo Emerson~

One of the reasons that I have a few different things for which I am thankful each day is because of the road by which I have traveled.  I have seen struggle, poverty, dissapointments and the tragedy of death.  All of these have left their marks on my life.  However, it is not these for which I am thankful this Thanksgiving.  No, I am not thankfull for them but thankfull that BECAUSE of them that I am the man that I am today.  It is that path which we all travel which will have a huge influence on who we ultimately become.  I didn't dwell in my poverty and dissapointments, but I did learn from them.  I fear that far too many people today have forgotten that struggle which our very first settlers faced.  Leaving the only home they had ever known for a uncertain voyage to a unknown continent.  Along the way they faced disease, famine and death.  What is it that kept them persevering?  Hope.  The hope of a new home and a new start.  The hope that in that new  home that they would finally be free to live as they wanted.  The hope that they would succeed in their voyage.  I venture to ask, what did these pilgrims have if not hope?  There have certainly been times where all that I felt that I have had was hope.  But where is it that we all too often place our hopes?  Far too often, we may place our own hopes in the false belief in ourselves instead of in He who will never disapoint us.  I once heard a pastor claim that life would be much easier if God were not so far away.  Of course, this is not a belief that I share.  We have no need to be closer to God, as He is already closer to us that He will ever be.  The apostle Paul assures us of this in Galations 2:20, that it is Christ Jesus who lives through us today.  Knowing this, we can be assured that He who never disapoints will always be with us.
What is it that we are thankful for?  Prosperity, family and freinds?  This is all well and good, but where would we be without hope?

1Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.God.3And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance;4and perseverance, ccharacter; and character, hope. 5Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.
Romans 3: 1 - 5 NKJV

~Scott~

The Revealing

15But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother’s womb and called me through His grace, 16to reveal His Son in me, that I might preach Him among the Gentiles, I did not immediately confer with flesh and blood, 17nor did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were apostles before me; but I went to Arabia, and returned again to Damascus.
Galations 1: 15 - 17 NKJV

I think that it's understood that the apostle Paul knew the importance of the teachings of Christ Jesus.  There has never been a more passionate supporter of all which Jesus stood for than Paul.  Of course, there more than likely has never been a stronger critic of Him as well.  For before we came to know Paul, we were introduced to Saul of Tarsus.  As strongly of a supporter of Christ as Paul was, the man Saul used that same fervor against Him.  Indeed, we could look at this as two men with a desire for Christ, albeit for different reasons.  Two men, one seeking to destroy the followers of Christ and the other seeking to tell others of His love which saved us all.  I would also say that God used each of these men for His very purpose.  One of the reasons that others see the wonders of the message of the apostle Paul is because of the man that he used to be.  How is it that such a strong critic and persecutor of the early church of the followers of Jesus suddenly become the man who preached the gospel of Christ?  Make no mistake, what Saul sought was the death of those who followed Christ {Acts 9:1}.  It's no wonder that the early church had to gather in secret, for not to do so meant persecution and possibly death.  Of course, all of this was unfolding as God had intended.  Then, when it pleased God, the man Saul ceased to live and the man we know today as Paul came to be.  We know that something big happened on that road to Damascus that day.  We know that this was the turning point where Saul ceased to exist and Paul was born.  Yeah yeah, how can a man be reborn right?  Well, that was the very same question asked of Jesus as well {John 3:4}.  I prefer to think that what happened to Saul was certainly a transformation, a reformation of sorts.  Yet what happened to Saul is also what has transformed the lives of all who have come to know Christ Jesus.

“Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, Nor have entered into the heart of man The things which God has prepared for those who love Him.” 10But God has revealed them to us through His Spirit. For the Spirit searches all things, yes, the deep things of God. 11For what man knows the things of a man except the spirit of the man which is in him? Even so no one knows the things of God except the Spirit of God. 12Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might know the things that have been freely given to us by God.
1 Corinthians 2: 9 - 12 NKJV

I was asked by a friend this week to expound on that idea of our Lords revealing His Son in each of us {Galations 1:16}.  Of course, this is that very revelation which transformed the apostle Paul.  It is that very same revelation by which I came to realize the same thing which Paul did...of Christ in me {Galations 2:20}.  This wasn't by my own efforts, but in Gods own timing.  For when it pleased God to reveal Christ in Paul, so it was with me as well.  This, is the revealing.  So how does this revealing of Christ in us pertain to our lives as we live them?  Well, it may be different for others, but for me it means that I have no need to be more like Jesus, to act like Christ like or to continually seek Him.  Today I have Christ in me.  He is as close to me as my next breath.  Granted, I'm still learning all that comes with this realization.  That my needs will be met by He who lives through me.  That it is no longer me who stands at the forefront...but Christ.  I am but a vessel of the image of the invisible God {Colossions 1:15}.

~Scott~