May 27, 2012

The Elevator

II Corinthians 5:17
"Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new."

An illiterate old man from from the farm country came to a busy shopping complex in a metropolis, accompanying a relative who was purchasing new dress for her wedding. He was accompanied by his wife, who was equally old and simple. There they saw an elevator for the first time in their life.

The old man watched the gadget with keen interest. He saw a group of aged people enter and close the door. After a few minutes, the door reopened and an equal number of very young people came out.

After several similar observations, the old man concluded that the elevator was a miraculous machine to transform older people to younger and smarter ones. He was excited. His priority was to restore the youthfulness of his aging wife. He was anxious to have her as the young and charming beauty that he had married 50 years ago.
 
He compelled & coaxed her to enter the elevator the next time it opened before them. The old lady entered it unwillingly along with many others and the door was shut. After a few anxious moments, he saw the doors open.

Rushing to the door and madly searching among those who came out of the elevator, he found an attractive young lady, with some resemblance to the figure of his wife in her early years.

Overjoyed, he embraced who he thought was his blushing bride and tried to drag her away from the others, crying out, "What a wonder, what a beauty!"

The lady was shocked and pushed him away with all her might. She walked away quickly into the crowd.

Lying on the floor with scratched limbs and a broken heart, the old man cried and pleaded, "Wait for me, honey! Don't leave me, dear! I'll take back the old you!"

*

God made us in His image (Gen. 1:27; Eph. 4:24; Col. 3:10). But, in our selfishness, webroke fellowship with Him when we sinned against Him (Rom. 3:10, 23). Only God can restore us and make us into a new creation (Gal. 6:15).

The blood of Jesus is no fountain of youth that will make you younger or put a skip in your step. No, it's not about our external appearance. What God is desiring is to truly transform us and change us within, transform us from a sinner to a saved person. Because of the blood of Jesus, our sins are forgiven (Heb. 9:22) and we receive God's divine nature through the indwelling of the Holy Ghost (Titus 3:5; II Cor. 1:22-23; Eph. 1:13-14, 4:30).

That is what happens at salvation.

There is no magic potion or elixir or holy grail or special waters. If you're seeking true renewal - spiritual rightness - then Jesus is the only way, the only truth and the only life (Jn. 14:6).

What you decide to do with Jesus Christ today will impact your eternal life. And much like an elevator, there's only one of 2 directions you can go: heavenward or hell bound.

Which way are you headed?


What a joyful thought that my Lord I’ll see,
Just over in the glory land;
And with kindred saved, there forever be,
Just over in the glory land.

Just over in the glory land,
I’ll join the happy angel band,
Just over in the glory land;
Just over in the glory land,
There with the mighty host I’ll stand,
Just over in the glory land.

With the blood-washed throng I will shout and sing,
Just over in the glory land;
Glad hosannas to Christ, the Lord and King,
Just over in the glory land.

Just over in the glory land,
I’ll join the happy angel band,
Just over in the glory land;
Just over in the glory land,
There with the mighty host I’ll stand,
Just over in the glory land.

 
Story compliments of Dr. Babu Philip, Professor, Cochin University of Science & Technology, Kerala, India

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