I know you!

Of course I don't necessarily personally know you... But really... if you've accepted Jesus as your personal Lord, you can't say that I don't know you. Actually, I know a great deal about you. Let me tell you what I do know. I know that:

  1. ... you are no longer the wretch you were, but now you are a brand new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17-21). ergo - I don't need to know who you were it really is no longer relevant. And you can let go of who you were - remember we are told to put on the new man (Ephesians 4:24)

  2. ... you were saved by Grace, not your own doing - you can never take the credit. And you share this with all of us. Your salvation is built on something much stronger and lasting (Ephesians 2: 8-9). Plus, it was a gift from God and He doesn't do shabby.

  3. ... you have a call on your life -  an assignment, an opportunity that's all yours. Yes, others may have the same gift, but it's you that brings your uniqueness, your special touch to (fill in the blank) that only you can bring. NEVER compare your call, your giftings to someone else. Always remember that you are part of a team (1 Corinthians 12:12-20) - you are needed, you are wanted, you are important! Drama and/or visibility is no basis to judge your call or its importance.

  4. ... as you develop your relationship with the Lord, you grow and mature, you become that workman (Ephesians 2:10, 2 Timothy 2:15) that the Lord can use, can trust. 

  5. ... you are loved (John 3:16, 1 John 4:9-11, 16 among others). The children's song, Jesus Loves Me, is true for you  (remember the end of that children's song's title - This I know). All you need do is to accept the love. 

  6. ... you are equipped, and enabled. Look at all He's done for all of us. And, if all, this includes you. Ephesians (6:10-18) tells us that God has provided His armor for us - we simply need to put it on (Romans 8:37).

  7. ... you belong, you have a family - and a foundation. Remember that Jesus is the first born of many brethren (Colossians 1:18). AND, this statement confirms for us that we have been adopted into the Family of God, that we have an inheritance (Romans 8:17, 1 Pete 1:4).  

Do remember that if I can know you in these ways... you can know others in these ways too. Who they were is irrelevant... who they are becoming is what's important. And... apply this mindset to yourself. Who you are and are becoming is what's important.