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Do you really know Jesus?
by naomi Cassata My husband, James, often relays to me conversations he's had with various coworkers. Through these secondhand conversations, I've come to understand a little about their families, values and even faith. Recently I had the privilege of meeting them. When I was introduced, I already had a grid of information about each of them, and even a mental picture of what they look like. We talked about ten minutes max. Not much time to get to know anyone on a deeper level. For me to say I know them wouldn't be very accurate. Sure I know who they are, a little about their lives, in fact, I even know what kind of restaurant each prefers. But I don't know them intimately. I couldn't tell you their deepest struggles, their heart's desires or even their future plans. Many people have this same approach with Christ. They know a little about His life: The names of His earthly parents; who His closest friends were; who betrayed Him; how He died; why we celebrate Christmas and Easter; and can even quote John 3:16. They may even talk to Him when in a crisis, but thereafter ignore Him. If I were to ask you who is the one person in the whole world past or present you would love to meet, who would it be? What kind of questions might you ask? The more you talked, the more you would realize that this person is much like you and me. They eat, sleep, dream and live their lives. If you were to meet Jesus face to face, what would you ask? It probably wouldn't be the same questions you would ask the above. The questions would sound something like this: What is Heaven like? Can I see a glimpse? Would you please touch my family? Save my loved ones? Please, help me to be a better Christian? I remember as a child wanting to be like my favorite cartoon character, Jem. She was a Barbie doll that sang. I would pretend to be her and my younger sister and her friend would be my backups. To know Christ is not to sit down with Him and ask twenty questions. To know Him is to walk as He walked. We tend to become like the person we have set our affections on. As the moon reflects the sun, so we the one we continually gaze upon. Do you want to know Christ? Do you really want to be so entwined with Him that someone might say of you, as they did of Peter and John, "these men had been with Jesus"? (Acts 4:13). Do you know Jesus? Listen to John's words, "The one who says, "I have come to know Him," and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him" (1 John 2:4). To know Jesus is to obey His word. Too many people name the name of Christ, and yet their lives prove otherwise. To know Christ is not to know about Him, but to walk as He walked. http://www.lampformyfeet.com/ Article Source: http://www.faithwriters.com |