JESUS WITH SKIN
… to whom God willed to make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.
Colossians 1:27
Years ago, I heard the testimony of a man who said something like this, “I heard about Jesus and His love, but I never saw it or experienced it. I needed someone to model His love and life to me. I needed a Jesus with skin.”
I love that—a Jesus with skin. Now, none of us is Jesus … but every true Christian has the Spirit of Jesus living within (He comes into the life of a person the moment that person repents and believes in Him). And Jesus within us wants to make a difference inside and out.
CHRISTIANITY OR RELIGION?
Do you know the difference between Christianity and religion? Religion is an outside job: you are trying to do external things to please God and somehow merit his favor. You are trying to clean the outside of the cup while the inside of the cup stays dirty. Religion is an exercise in futility as it can do nothing to deal with the heart of the problem, which is the problem of the heart.
Christianity, on the other hand, is an inside job: the Lord moves into your life and cleans the inside of the cup. He gives you a new heart and begins to change your life from the inside out. Christianity is NOT gritting your teeth to try to be like Jesus; it is trusting Him who lives in you to live through you. It really is Christ in you, the hope of glory. In a very real way, every Christian can be Jesus with skin to a lost and dying world.
MAKING A DIFFERENCE
It is really exciting to live every day thinking and praying about how the Lord wants to use you to touch another person’s life who desperately needs to see and feel the love of Jesus. Maybe it’s in a caring conversation, or a helping hand, or a note of encouragement, or financial assistance, or even just a hug.
Some time ago, I received a forwarded text from one of our staff members concerning a young woman in our church:
“Mike, I got a hug from Pastor Jeff. That made me feel great. The fact that he saw me, came over to me, gave me a hug, and told me he was glad to see me, that was amazing. I told Jesus a few nights ago that I just wanted and needed a hug from Him. Tonight, I felt like I got that hug from Jesus.”
To say the least, that made my day! Praise You, Lord, that You used my life to minister your love to that sweet young lady who, unbeknownst to me, really needed a hug from You.
BE JESUS WITH SKIN
Will you endeavor today and every day to be Jesus with skin to those who desperately need to see and feel Him? Would you start each morning by surrendering to Him as Lord of all in your life? Would you ask Him to show you who in your sphere of influence needs that special touch—a waiter/waitress, a neighbor, a co-worker, a friend whom you haven’t seen in years? Ask the Lord to make you sensitive to opportunities and shine the light of His love through you!
Love,
Pastor Jeff Schreve,
From His Heart Ministries
Dr. Jeff Schreve believes that no matter how badly you may have messed up in life, God still loves you and has a wonderful plan just for you. From His Heart provides real truth, love and hope on over 700 radio stations each day, in 182 countries each week on TV, and is always available online. Pastor Jeff takes no income from this ministry. All donations go to furthering the broadcast outreach. As a listener/viewer supported ministry, we thank you for joining with us to help speak the truth in love to a lost and hurting world. Go to www.fromhisheart.org for more information.
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