One of my favorite verses is "you are a new creature a new creation, the old has gone the new has come". Why do I like this verse? Because our daily struggle is with ourselfs and with our old/sinful nature. There are times we try to rationalize our actions/thoughts/attitudes by simply stating
"that's just how God made me!" the truth of the matter is that it might be how God made you but it is certainly not how God intended you to to stay. Coming to the knowledge of Him and who He is and what He has done for us has to cause a change in us. Coming to the realization that we were dead, and because of His love, forgiveness and sacrifice we can trully live, has to create some change. I guess this is what we call having an encounter with God.
In the bible we see different people having and encounter with God. From Moses to Abraham, Jacob to David and Job. There is one common thread that bind these stories together. The encounter they had with God changed them for ever. They could no longer say 'this is how God made me'. Moses looked physically different. Jacob came out limping and with a new name. David came to understand the grace of God and Job was faithful to the end. One thing was true... They all changed.
Inner beef is good if there is progress and you allow God to change you from the inside out. It goes terrible wrong when we constantly have beef with the same issue for years and years with no change. In that case I would say seek and encounter with God and and pray that this encounter changes who you are.
Funny how this change affects the little things as well as the big things. I recently went shopping and while checking out the register person overlooked a couple of items. In that split second I had a choice to make, let the cashier know of items that were overlooked or say something. The old nature was screaming "don't worry you can get away with it... No one needs to know... It's not your fault the cashier was not paying attention... You can save some money!" My new nature was calmly wispering "you know it's not right... You are not that person any more... You will feel guilty every time you see or used those items... God has been faithful and will supply all your needs..." So in the end I took the items and place them on the cashiers table without the cashier even noticing.
We need to be different in all aspects of our lives. Once we came to know who Jesus is we are not or should not be the same any more. The old has passes the new has come.
Ask God for an encounter with Him. He will be more than glad to meet with you.
Anthony Perez
