I'm not the person I was!

As we continue to live through a time when large meetings are, legally, unavailable, I am reminded of a woman who, some years ago, was contacting her Secondary School classmates about a reunion to mark 35 years since they had left their school. Many were excited about renewing old friendships. One man apparently wrote back to her: "I have the 5 Bs - baldness; bifocals; bridgework; bulges; and bunions." Being, as he must have been, still in his early 50s, I dread to think of the lifestyle he had been leading! A woman quipped: "I wasn't half the woman then, that I am today." - apparently referring to her physical size and weight!

However, another woman wrote: "I can't wait to see everyone. I've changed completely.  At school, I was the class 'tramp'. I had no standards, and everyone knew it. But just a few years after I finished school, I received the Lord Jesus as my Saviour. My life was transformed! Because of Him, I'm not the person I was, and I want my classmates to know it."

In the New Testament, and in the Gospel according to Luke, we read of a man named Zacchaeus.  He was a chief tax-collector at a time when tax-collectors were really hated. The ordinary tax-collector demanded more than he was entitled to do, and pocketed the difference. Of course, he would have been accompanied by a couple of Roman soldiers when he came to your door - and it would not have been either wise, or healthy, to try to get away with paying what you believed to be a just amount! However, a chief tax-collector like Zacchaeus made even more money. He was cold-hearted, and money-loving. He demanded a greater sum than was due, from each of the tax-collectors below him. Even worse, was the fact that he was a Jew, working for the Roman Occupying Power. 

Many will be familiar with the story - indeed, some will still be able to sing the song about him being a "very little man". He was so short in physical stature that, when he decided that he wanted to catch a glimpse of the travelling preacher, Jesus of Nazareth, Who was making such an impact on the population of Judaea and Samaria, and other areas, that he climbed a sycamore tree by the side of the roadway, in order to do so. 

However, Jesus did not simply pass by - He stopped, looked up, and uttered the well-known words: "Zacchaeus, make haste and come down; for I must stay at your house today." (Luke 19:5).  Zacchaeus didn't think twice!  "... he made haste and came down, and received Him joyfully." (Luke 19:6). The Saviour followed Zacchaeus home and, the next thing that is recorded are his amazing words: "Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have defrauded any one of anything, I restore it fourfold." (Luke 19:8).

What a transformation! When we come to the Lord Jesus, in repentance, and faith, we commence a brand-new life. That is why it is referred to as being "born again"! Then, as we grow in the grace and knowledge of the Lord, sinful attitudes are replaced with godly traits. Selfishness gives way to caring; greed gives way to generosity; lust gives way to purity. It's a work that is referred to as "sanctification" - basically, making us more like Jesus, day by day. (By the way, there is a chapter in "Great Words of the Faith", on Sanctification, if you would like to learn more! You will also, by your purchase, be helping those in the persecuted church. See the link above).

Has the Christ transformed your life? Can you truly say: "I'm not the same person I once was."? Someone has written: "God formed us; sin deformed us; Jesus can transform us." Will you permit Him to do so, for you? Will you?!

The Parable of a Wild Duck!

The story is told of some wild ducks, making their annual springtime journey northwards. As they flew over a particular farm, they could see a flock of tame ducks in the yard. One of the wild ducks left his migrating friends in flight, and made his way down to the yard, where he mingled with the ducks on the ground.

After having eaten some of the corn that the farmer had provided for his own ducks, the wild bird flew away. However, he quickly returned and, this time, stayed a little longer. The safety of the farm, and the plentiful supply of food, were so appealing that he lived all summer among the domestic fowl. When autumn came, he heard the cries of his former companions as they headed southward to their winter nesting place. He felt a strong desire to join them - but his added weight from having eaten so much kept him from flying very far! So, he settled down and spent all winter on the farm.

In the following spring, he again heard the familiar call of the migrating flock. His eyes gleamed, and he began to flap his wings - but he had no real desire to fly, and made no real effort! That autumn, the sound of the wild ducks flying overhead only caused him to, momentarily, look up - and from then on, he paid no attention at all. One day, the farmer decided it was the turn of this particular bird, and he discovered the cost of all of that corn as his neck was wrung!

That little story has an important lesson for those of us who claim to be disciples of Jesus. We, too, can be lured into complacency by losing the high ideals that we espoused when we committed ourselves to Him. Solomon is an example of one who began with a sincere desire to be a wise and righteous ruler; but he compromised his principles by being married to women from heathen nations, in disobedience to the Law of God. Eventually, he had drifted so far from the noble aspirations of his earlier years that his reign ended in failure - and resulted in the splitting of the kingdom.

If you are a disciple of Jesus reading this, I would encourage you to submit yourself fully to Him; renew your commitment on a daily basis; and be true to His high purpose for your life! Think of the parable of the wild duck, when you are tempted to associate too closely with those who may lead you astray. Remember, if you disobey God to satisfy your own desires, you will soon lose your high spiritual standards. We are called to be witnesses for Him, wherever we are. What sort of witness am I? What sort of witness are you?

Paul wrote: "Do not be conformed to this world but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that you may prove what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect." (Rom.12:2). That's the answer!