“I don’t know if you remember,” Stan began, “but we’ve talked a little bit about how Peter denied knowing Jesus.” [Note to reader: See Posting 501 (“How Could Peter Do That?”)].
“Oh, I remember,” I replied, “and the thing that struck me the most is how Peter wept when he realized what he had done.”
“Yes, that was powerful,” Stan agreed, “but I want to focus on something that happened right before that, something that has an impact on me and my faith walk.”
“What’s that?” I asked.
“It concerns the fact,” Stan said, “that Peter was recognized as being someone who had been with Jesus.”
“Didn’t the girl in the courtyard just look at Peter and say something about that she had seen him with Jesus?”
“That’s true,” Stan replied, “but I like to look at this from the standpoint of whether or not there is enough about me that someone would say that they can recognize that I’ve been with Jesus.”
Continuing, he said, “It’s not just about whether or not someone saw me coming out of church, or they saw me at a Bible study, for example, but it’s about whether there is enough likeness between me and Jesus that I will be recognized as having been with Him.”
“How can that happen?” I asked.
“Transformation,” was Stan’s one-word answer.
Continuing, he added, “It’s not just about what I do, like going to church or a Bible study, it’s all about who I am in Christ. It’s about discipleship. Denying self, taking up what God has for me to take up, and choosing to follow Him, wherever He wants, whatever the cost.”
“Yeah,” I responded, “but aren’t those things that you do?”
“They are,” Stan replied, “but I do those things, not just to be seen as doing them, but because of who I am, one who has been with Jesus. One who is being transformed into His likeness.”
“The goal for me,” Stan concluded, “is to be able to hear someone say, ‘I know you; you’re one of those guys who has been with Jesus’.”
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And a certain servant-girl, seeing him (Peter) as he sat in the firelight, and looking intently at him, said, “This man was with Him too.” Luke 22:56.
Beware of practicing your righteousness before men to be noticed by them; otherwise you have no reward with your Father who is in heaven. Matthew 6:1.
And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect. Romans 12:2.
Prayer: Thank you, Father, that you have provided everything I need in order to know you and to live a life that manifests what you have for me to be and to do. I confess that too often I choose not to manifest you in ways that will allow others to recognize me as being yours. Please forgive me. And please, Father, help me with all you can provide in following your lead to be only and truly a person others will recognize as having been and as being with Jesus. Please help me in being with Him in every aspect of my life. Thank you I can and do bring these prayers before you in His name. Amen.
Think on this: Will God recognize you from the eternal standpoint as having been with Jesus and having accepted the salvation provided through His finished work on the cross? If not, why? If you have the assurance of salvation through Jesus, what about on this side of eternity — will people recognize you as being with Him? Why or why not? Is that something you want? If it is, do you know how it can happen?
Waiting for the Train 
Reblogged this on Ze Mrs. Carpio.
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