One encounter with Jesus
By Sheela Isaac
Whenever I discuss with Hindus in the forums, I feel that they have a bad opinion about Christians. Their general opinion about Christians is that Christians are looters, killers, drinkers etc. They think that it is Christians who invaded India, plundered and killed many. Almost every one to whom I talked had the same opinion and I had to give my reply for the same question over and over again saying that a person who kills or plunders can’t be a christian because it is totally contrary to the teachings of Lord Jesus Christ. Why do they have this impression? Because they have limited knowledge about Christianity and they do not know that a person having a christian name need not be a Christian. The most surprising thing is that many of those who are born in a Christian home are also not aware of this fact. Many years back I was talking to a nominal Christian who did not have a personal relationship with Jesus. She looked very upset regarding some other christians and said in a very mocking mood, “they say that their hearts have changed, don’t know what kind of heart change has occurred, I am too a christian but nothing like this ever happens.” Why she came to this conclusion? Because she might never have heard about personal relationship with Jesus. She might have never understood the significance of the most important statement Jesus made. What was that? John 3:3, “Jesus answered and said to him, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” Then Jesus gave more emphasis and said the second time saying (John 3:7), “Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’
Why do we fail to give importance to this statements of Jesus? Why the churches ignore this great truth? The reason is that we want to hear what looks good for our ears. 2 Tim 4:3-4, “For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables.”
Well, christianity is not a religion as many think but a personal relationship with the Savior. Unless and until you meet Christ personally you can’t reach heaven. That’s what Jesus said; unless one is born again he can’t see the kingdom of God. He said, “do not marvel that I said, YOU MUST BE BORN AGAIN. Well my friends, have you had an encounter with Jesus? Have you ever-met Jesus personally? If not you are on the way of destruction. Do you know as days passes by you are nearing one inch closer to your eternity? Have you ever thought that as days pass by, you are getting closer and closer to your fate and final destiny? How many times do we invite our friends and family and celebrate birthdays and New Years with great joy not knowing that we have lost one more year of our life and that our life is getting shorter and shorter.
What is meant by personal encounter with Jesus?
Look at the life of Paul whose name was Saul. He was a very wicked man. The Bible says that he was killing God’s people. He killed those who worshipped Jesus thinking that he was doing God’s work. Acts 8:1, “Now Saul was consenting to his death (of Stephen). At that time a great persecution arose against the church…” Acts 8:3, “As for Saul, he made havoc of the church, entering every house, and dragging off men and women, committing them to prison.” He killed and destroyed many believers but one day when he was traveling toward Damascus to bind the followers of Jesus and put them in prison he had an encounter with Jesus.
Acts 9:1 Then Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest
Acts 9:2 and asked letters from him to the synagogues of Damascus, so that if he found any who were of the Way, whether men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem.
Acts 9:3 As he journeyed he came near Damascus, and suddenly a light shone around him from heaven.
Acts 9:4 Then he fell to the ground, and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?”
Acts 9:5 And he said, “Who are You, Lord?” Then the Lord said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. It is hard for you to kick against the goads.”
This one encounter with Jesus turned his life around. He no longer stayed as the old murderer but turned in to a lamb. See what one encounter with Jesus does in ones life. That’s why Bible says in, 2 Cor 5:17, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.” When Saul met Jesus personally, the old wolf nature in him died. When Jesus comes in his life the old poisonous serpent nature dies and a nature of the harmless lamb emerges. That’s what Jesus wants to do in everybody’s life. You might be born in a christian home but it would not make you a christian. You might be doing all the rituals and following all the christian traditions but it would not make you a christian. Today millions who call themselves to be christians have failed to turn to their master Jesus. They have failed to reach for that ONE ENCOUNTER with Jesus. That’s why people of other religions look at us and think that we are looters and killers. What a shame.
I heard Rev. John Hagee saying, “Knowledge without God creates intellectual barbarians.” How true it is. Today many think that education would teach them good morals and make them better persons but that’s not true. Osama bin laden is the greatest example for it. He was highly educated and took engineering degree from western country. Did this education make him a good moral person? No. You all know the story, he is killing others and destroying lives and thinking that he is doing a good favor to God. Recently in India startling news shook the whole country. An educated doctor was removing kidneys of innocent people and destroying their lives.
————————
Taken from ( http://cbs2chicago.com )
Alleged ‘Kidney-Snatch’ Doctor Nabbed In Nepal
An international manhunt for the fugitive doctor, Amit Kumar, ended Thursday night when police arrested him in Chitwan, a Nepalese jungle resort 100 miles south of Katmandu, local police chief Kiran Gautam said.
Authorities believe that up to 500 kidneys have been sold to clients who traveled to India from around the world over the last nine years. Some victims were forced onto the operating table at gunpoint, while others were tricked with promises of work, police said last month.
————————-
Education could not turn this doctor into a good person. Education could not change Saul either but one encounter with Jesus changed him into a new person. The Bible says that as soon as Saul met Jesus, he immediately began preaching about Jesus. What a change which has taken place in his life. The same man who wanted to kill the followers of Christ now preaching about Christ.
Acts 9:20 Immediately he preached the Christ in the synagogues, that He is the Son of God.
Acts 9:21 Then all who heard were amazed, and said, “Is this not he who destroyed those who called on this name in Jerusalem, and has come here for that purpose, so that he might bring them bound to the chief priests?”
Acts 9:22 But Saul increased all the more in strength, and confounded the Jews who dwelt in Damascus, proving that this Jesus is the Christ.
Not only did he defend the Gospel of Jesus but he also suffered for Christ and even was willing to die for the sake of the Gospel. That’s what happens when Jesus comes in ones life. When Jesus enters in one’s life, self dies and then, only one thing stands out i.e. how to glorify Jesus, how to exalt His name. Paul did the same thing.
Are you a true believer of Jesus Christ? Have you had an encounter with Jesus? Has your life turned around? If not, you need this encounter. You need Jesus in your life. If you are willing to give your life to Jesus you can do it right now. Please pray this prayer:
Lord Jesus, I need this encounter in my life. Lord, you came in the life of Saul and changed him into a new person. Please come into my life and change my life. Jesus, I know that you are the Son of God. I believe that you can change my life. Lord, I believe that you can wipe away my sins. Please come into my heart. Forgive and forget my sins. Wash away all my sins in your precious blood and make me a new creation. Jesus, today I accept you as my personal Lord and Savior. I invite you into my life. Please come in and transform my life. I pray in Jesus precious name. Amen.
