Word-Filled Wednesday ~#87~ Does the World See Christ in Us?

"He was in the world, and though the world was made through Him, the world did not recognize Him. He came to that which was His own, but His own did not receive Him." ~John 1:10-11
"Just then a man in their synagogue who was possessed by an evil spirit cried out, 'What do You want with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have You come to destroy us? I know Who You are ~ the Holy One of God!'" ~Mark 1:23-24

"You yourselves are our letter, written on our hearts, known and read by everybody. You show that you are a letter from Christ . . . written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts." ~2 Cor. 3:2-3

I have noticed something while working with the public: Christians have a sort of radar ~ we can almost sniff each other out. (Homeschoolers have the same radar :-) ) Gladly, it seems that many of the customers who are Christians come to me to wait on them, when they visit where I work. Many of the regulars and I have had quick conversations about things of the Lord, how He has led them to things and people who have helped them with this-or-that malady, how He is working in our lives and we've shared prayer requests and answers to those prayers.  I'm sure you probably patronize businesses where you know there is a Christian or two working there, and with whom you feel a little more comfortable.

When Jesus came near the demoniac, it was the demons who knew ~ beyond a shadow of a doubt ~ Who they were talking to. It was the learned and pious ~ those expecting the Messiah ~ who didn't recognize the Son of God for Who He is. Now, why do you suppose that we can recognize Jesus in other Christians and those of the world cannot? Or can they? 

I am of the belief that they can. I am of the belief that the Lord has set us in their midst to be His "letter" to the sphere of influence that we live in ~ in our neighborhood, our work or school environment, with extended family members. Jesus puts us right where He needs us to penetrate the darkness.   

We are put in a position where those around us that see Jesus in the way we interact with others, with themselves; how we handle stress in work or school related difficulties, how we celebrate the good times; how imperfect people can still live lives of integrity. But most of all, when the opportunity arises, that we will be able to tell them the difference that Jesus Christ has made in our lives. That what was lost has now been found ~ and that they can be found, too.

They can find out that "Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners ~ of whom I am the worst." (I Tim. 1:15) We are living letters of Christ to tell the world that if He can save us, He can ~ and will ~ save them.

And the world will see.

Blessings from Ohio . . . Kim<><