So, it has been a long while since my last post. Graduate school has consumed a lot of my time. Both this blog and my library blog have fallen by the wayside. I just wanted to share something that has been on my heart for a while. Would you believe me if I told you that I was hit by a train a couple days ago. Of course you wouldn't. If I was hit by a train I would probably be dead. If I survived I would probably be in a hospital bed with a bunch of bandages. After that train hit me, I would not engage in the same activities and think in the same way. After I got hit by that train, everything about my life would change. A few weeks ago I was in Colossians and I was reminded of the time that I had an encounter with God. Having an encounter with YHWH, the creator of the universe, is like getting hit by a train. If you were to get hit by a train and lived, everything about your life would change. Everyone would know and be able to see that something incredible happened to you.
The same happens when someone becomes a believer in Christ. It is like you get hit by a train. If your life is not completely different after becoming a Christian, you need to examine yourself. When you say that you are a Christian you are saying that the creator of the universe lives inside of you. Think about that for a moment. When you have the LORD living inside of you, who is pure, righteous, just, and holy, it is impossible for you to love the things of the world. When someone becomes a Christian, you no longer live for yourself. You live for God. One major aspect of that is that you live a life different then the one that you lived before you were saved. Our desires are to be completely different. Do you think I am making this up? Read these passages in Colossians.
"so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, beating fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God." Colossians 1:10
"1 If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. 3 For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory." Colossians 3:1-4
A friend of mine, Andrew Seay, said many years ago that Christians are supposed to have an eternal mindset at all times. Believers need to focus on the things of God, and not the things of man. Here is another passage from Romans that talks about how the life of believers change after giving their lives to the Lord.
"1 I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. 2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect." Romans 12:1-3
When you get hit by a train it obvious to everyone. When you have an encounter with God, it should be apparent to everyone. Your life should not and can not be like it was before you were saved.
Also, I wanted to ask prayers about a certain aspect of my spiritual life. I am trying to study back over what I have written in my quiet time journal everyday. I am trying put into memory and application the verses that I read over. Pray for me as I endeavor to do this.
