A Changed Life

Scripture: “When I returned to Jerusalem and was praying at the temple, I fell into a trance and saw the Lord speaking. ‘Quick!’ he said to me. ‘Leave Jerusalem immediately, because they will not accept your testimony about me.’  Acts 22:17,18 NIV

Observation: Paul is speaking to the hostile crowd about his transformation to Christian as he is being arrested.

Application: I had a heavy heart last night as I prayed with my wife. I feel that the Lord’s return is near and that gave me an urgency in my heart.  That said, I fear that many friends and family that have known me all my life will never be able to accept that I am truly converted and they will never see the truth of Christ because time will run out for them.  In essence, I may be the reason for some people denying Christ and eventually being lost for eternity.  That is a sad commentary on my spiritual legacy. I know, I know, we all have free will to choose and decide for ourselves about Christ, but that doesn’t ease the sorrow that I feel at the thought of being at least partly responsible for another’s choice for or against Christ.  When we are forgiven by our Savior for our past God looks at us and sees a new creation because Christ’s blood covers us and all He can see is perfection in Christ. Unfortunately many times we have a difficult time seeing ourselves the same way that God sees us.  Often times so do the people who know us best.  I feel a great responsibility to pray for the ability to see myself as changed so that my life might show Christ to all with whom I come into contact. I pray that I am not too late.

Prayer: Lord, you know my heart and only you know the hour of your return. I pray to be seen as a new creation by myself and others so that those closest to me may come to know you and have a relationship with you. Amen

Doug