A Matter of Perspective
Truly comprehending our position and standing in Christ, should leave no part of our lives unchanged. Everything should be have a new or renewed look in our lives. Because Jesus never comes into a life and leaves it unchanged.
The time-table and developmental model is different for each individual person, but one thing is a definite in the life of a true believer in Christ-- change. Maturity, development, consecration, sanctification, and renewal; are all apt descriptors of our new life in Christ. All of these actions are indicative of the path walked by a disciple of the one and only true Lord.
The question remains-- Does my life look markedly different than the life I led before I gave my life to Jesus?
-- We have been raised with Christ... Sometimes we seem to forget that we were actually dead in sin before Jesus saved us. So in our relationship with the Lord we have been raised to new life with Christ. Think of Lazarus, four days dead in the tomb. Then Jesus prays to the Father and calls, "Lazarus, come out." The bible says he came out with strips of linen and cloth wrapped all around him. The trappings of death still clung to him.
But Jesus would not leave him as he was, trapped in death... He said, "Take off the grave clothes and let him go."
We are raised just like Lazarus. We still have the former things clinging to us, wanting to drag us back. But Jesus still says, "Take off the grave clothes and let them go!"
-- What old "grave clothes" are still holding us down? For me, more often than not, it's my pride that wraps me up and holds me down. When I see my o,d ways asserting themselves I need to turn away from them, confess them as sin, and walk a new way in Christ.
I have been raised with Christ who is seated at the right hand of God. Why do I cling to my old ways instead of clinging to Christ?
Hebrews 12:1 says, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.
Running with Christ is running to win!
--Colossians 3:1 reminds us growing and changing in Christ is a matter of perspective. Paul tells us to, set our minds on things above. Verse 2 says, Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.
--When we set our focus on the truths of God and living to please him, it sets us free from the trappings of this world. When I slide back into my old ways of sin I am shifting my focus away from Christ and back to the world again.
--I'm not a shooter nor do I own a gun, but I know that success in shooting depends on a clear, focused, and steady aim.
Our aim as followers of Jesus must be Jesus himself, our savior.
Hebrews 12:2 says, Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
--This changes everything forever. When we aim for Jesus and keep our aim steady and true, our lives show evidence of true change. We can live out the love of Jesus here and now! He is our target and our model. Jesus is the way and the door to eternal life and life more abundant found only in him.
According to Colossians 3:3&4-- We died and our life is now hidden with Christ in God.
--That is a new location and new identification for our lives when we are taken into a saving relationship with Jesus. We ought to begin to take on the new attributes of love, peace, and joy; every single day as we live out our new life in him.
We don't have to rely on ourselves and stir up any new human efforts. We simply need to shift our gaze and fix our focus on the all-powerful Lord Jesus. We steady our aim on Jesus and our behavior changes because he fills us and remakes us in his image. He provides the power as we yield our all to him.
So, throw off the grave-clothes today an embrace a new and victorious life in Jesus!
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