A Stranger Among Us

Author : Vivian Gordon
I can look back at times in my life when I was wondering
around in the dark. I met up with some very close calls that
would've taken my life. I chalked it up to being lucky that
things worked out the way that they did. Now I know better.
What about you? Do you recognize Who Christ is in your
own life and the things He has done to prove His love for
you?I considered myself to always be a "spiritual" person. I knew
there was a God Who looked over me, but I never imagined
it could be such a personal relationship as it is today. I once
thought of God as out of reach, but now I know better. He's
always right beside me, guiding me, leading me into His
truth and His light, showing me every step to take. I use to
give myself all the credit when things went right in my life,
chalking it up to the fact that I was a good person. Isn't this
the way most of us think before we meet Jesus face to face?This makes me think of the time in the Bible according the
gospel of Luke when Christ was crucified and the people
didn't know what they had, only now that He was gone,
they were wondering if perhaps He really was the One.Two of the disciples were walking and talking with
eachother about the events that had just happened. Just
then Jesus appeared to them but they didn't recognize who
He was. They never looked right at him, they were downcast.
When we don't look at Jesus, we won't recognize Him either.
Cleopas asked Jesus if He hadn't heard the news about
His own death. (Lk.24:18)They continued to tell Him that the tomb was empty. Jesus
replied, "O foolish ones (sluggish in mind, dull of
perception) and slow of heart to believe (adhere to and trust
in and rely on) everything that the prophets have spoken!"
Lk. 24:25 (Amplified)Even though these men were followers of Christ and He
had told them exactly how it would happen, they still doubted
even what they saw. Aren't we like that today? There are
those who may have been told but still can't see Jesus
when He's right in front of them! This is such a sad
realization.These people, who were told exactly the accounts that
would happen because it was God's plan for salvation of
those who were sinners and had no other way out. Face it, if
God didn't love us so much, He would've and could've just
thrown His hands up in disgust and let us destroy ourselves
out of being...but He didn't.So, as the three men continued walking, Jesus explained
and interpreted the Scriptures concerning Himself. This
holds true of us even today. If we don't hear the true word
given to us by anointed pastors, preachers and teachers we
won't understand what God is trying to tell us either. The sad
fact is, there are many pastors, preachers and teachers who
have appointed themselves, and were never anointed by
God to give His Word. So, these so called messengers are
most likely giving false doctrine by not rightly dividing it. God
warns us of what will happen when His Word is added to or
taken away from."And if anyone cancels or takes away from the statements of
the book of this prophecy (these predictions relating to
Christ's kingdom and its speedy triumph, together with the
consolations and admonitions or warnings pertaining to
them), God will cancel and take away from him his share in
the tree of life and in the city of holiness (purity and
hallowedness), which are described and promised in this
book." Rev. 22:19 (Amplified)But, when we hear God's true Word, we will see Jesus in
our lives, just as these two men did. They urged Him to
come into their house and eat with them. Jesus also tells
us that if we invite Him in He will eat with us also. (Rev.
3:20) All we have to do is answer the door when He knocks.As they reclined at the table, Jesus gave thanks and asked
a blessing. He broke bread and instantly their eyes were
opened. They saw clearly and recognized Him. (Lk. 24:31)
After that He vanished and they were greatly moved. Jesus
effects us like that today when we break bread with Him and
see Him clearly for Who He is. They suddenly understood
once they heard the Scriptures taught the way they were
suppose to be taught. If we aren't hearing them in their true
form today, we will never see Jesus either. Today people
are being taught scripture as a form of "sin management".
We hear the things taken out of context that make "us" feel
better about ourselves and Christ is not even present in the
process. Without Christ, God's Word doesn't mean a
thing, because Christ is the Word, made flesh.As I began to study and learn and rightly divide God's Word
in my own life, I began to see Jesus more clearly and just
how much He means to me. I can now look back on my life
and realize that even though I was operating in the world, He
still was walking right beside me, just begging me to let
Him in. Being a gentleman, He never pushed or forced His
way in, but rather just quietly, patiently tugged at my heart
strings waiting for the day when I would humble myself and
admit that I truly needed Him as my Lord and Savior.Oh sure, I still have trials, they don't go away, in fact I'm pretty
sure they get more intense. But, with Jesus at my side, I'm
not afraid of going through them. It makes life a whole lot
brighter just knowing that He will take me through each and
every one, as long as I continue to believe in, rely on and
adhere to Him in faith. How do I know this? Because He told
me so!If you're not walking in faith today, stop and listen and see if
you can't hear Him knocking on your door. Once you invite
Him in, no longer will He be a stranger among you. He will
be your best friend!Our highest privilege is to talk to God; our highest duty is to
listen to Him.Vivian Gordon writes inspirational and spiritual articles
in which to help strengthen the Believer's walk in Christ.
They are often taken from today's point of view and
used in conjunction with what God says about certain
situations and how we are to handle them. There is
always an answer for every problem. These articles are
not all about asking God "why?" but in finding the
answers.
Keyword : Christianity, Spirituality, Inspirational, Scripture, Christ, Truth, Faith, Wisdom, Sin, Savior, God