Chances are at some point in your life you will be labeled
as being different. People who are different tend to not be included. This is a
matter of human nature. I some instances it may be malicious to the point of
prejudice. In other instances it may be a matter of people not knowing who you
are or what you stand for. Either way,
it is not a very comfortable feeling when you are excluded.
If we look at our own lives, how has being identified as a
Christian impacted your own relationships? Has your being identified as a
Christian been a boon to the number of friends that you have? Or has this
identification as a Christian driven people away? For long-time Christians,
chances are that we do not see a big change. Although, over time we may see a
change in those we call friends as the world-view shifts towards a less
Christian oriented view. If we are new to Christianity, chances are that we may
have a different group of people we call friends. There are some from our past
life who will seek to avoid us, or even abandon our friendship. That is the
choice that some people make. There are others who may be intrigued by the
change that takes place in us when we put on the armor of Christ. We are definitely
changed. And it may not just be a change that is on the inside. It may be a
change that is visible on the outside. The way we talk, act, or in some cases
our dress may change for the old self. Those who are used to the old “Us” may
be shocked, put off, concerned or even afraid. And therein stands the problem
that we must address head on. We, just as Moses did, must call out to those who
turn away. We must reach out in love and give comfort. We must reassure those
who would walk away because of the profound change that being a follower of
Jesus Christ has brought within us. We must reach out and try to draw them
near. We have been given a gift so wonderful and so profound that we must simply
share that gift with others who do not have that gift of grace and salvation
from Christ. Sadly, now just as in
Moses’ time, some will continue to flee and avoid you and I. They will not be
willing to accept that the change they can see is a good change. They will flee
because the change wrought within us is one which puts off the old
self-centered person and dons the clothe
of one who cares deeply for others. Gone is the old self, present is the new
self in Jesus Christ. On the upside, as a follower of Jesus Christ you have a
bunch of brothers and sisters you did not have before. On the down side, you
may have friends who reject you, but you can always pray that they too will
come to know Jesus.
PRAYER:
Lord, we are changed in You. You replace our old self with a new, bright and
shining self. Those who knew the old “Us” may be put off by the new. Father, we
ask that you would give us the opportunities to share the love of Jesus with
our old friends. We ask that You would give us Your words to speak. We ask that
You would bless our efforts to bring more to Your Son. And we ask this in
Jesus’ name, Amen.
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