Most of
humanity does not know Jesus as the Christ, nor do they care about Godly
principles at all. If unbelievers see no distinction in our daily walk when
compared to theirs, we have a problem with our connection to the Vine (John 15:5).
We may even have a false hope of Heaven, because we never truly repented or
made Jesus the Lord of our life. If, however, we are grafted into the Vine,
their reason for rejecting His truth may be that we are hiding His light within
us and they cannot see it (Matthew 5:15-16).
Once we
surrender our identity over to the Ruler of the universe, however, God makes a
huge difference in our character and existence. When we fully submit to God
for Him to use as He pleases (Isaiah 29:16), our life takes on the character
of Christ. This is when people see us as authentic Christians. We have God’s
peace in trouble, His perseverance in trials, His love for our persecutors and
His joy during periods of grief.
They see
us exhibiting patience in trying times, using self-control when others give in
to debauchery, displaying meekness rather than having a haughty attitude,
relating to others with kindness and basing our life and decisions on faith in
our faithful God. We lay down our life and prefer the needs of others over our
own agenda. This is when other people want for themselves what we have within
us. They see truth and reality in our lives. We are capable of this behavior,
not because we are exemplary human beings, but because of the Holy Spirit
within us (Galatians 5:16:25).
We were
formerly dead in sin (Ephesians
2:1), but now we are
dead to sin, and our life is hidden with Christ in God (Romans 6:11; Colossians 3:3). The Holy Spirit fills us with His fruit (Galatians 5:22-23). We have an eternal view of life. We know that our eternal weight of
glory far outweighs the momentary, comparatively light affliction we experience
in this world. We view the visible issues of life as transient and passing,
because we know that the spiritual aspects of life are everlasting (2 Corinthians 4:16-18).
We live
in this world as manifestations of God through Christ. We have the same
abilities and expression of the Spirit that Christ did, because He lives within
us (1 John 4:17). We obey God’s Spirit with an awareness, which exceeds
human understanding. We cannot prove this relationship intellectually or
physically, but the Spirit of God bears witness to our spirit that we are children
of God (Romans 8:16). People see the fruit on our
branch, and realize it is actually the Vine, which is the source of our
productive lives (John 15:5).
As we
allow God’s light within us to shine brightly, many in the world will see Him
through us and want to give their life to Christ as well (Matthew 5:16). As Born Again Believers, our life on earth has Jesus’ supernatural
capabilities. Not only does the Spirit of God lead us (Romans 8:14),
but He also fills us to overflowing (Acts 4:31). We are children of God, with
Christ living in us by God’s Spirit (Romans 8:11). The more we decrease, the more
He increases within us (John 3:30).
Prayer:
Father
God, Jesus prayed that no one would snatch us out of Your hand. You are greater
than all, and we are perfectly safe in Your everlasting arms (John 10:28-29). Fill us completely full of Your Spirit and keep us as the apple of Your
eye (Psalm 17:8). Draw us close to You and never let us go. Your unfailing
love is our priceless treasure and we run to the refuge of the shadow of Your
wings (Psalm 36:7).
Thought
for the Day:
The Holy
Spirit is our source of power. Ask Him to manifest Himself in and through you. 