Jesus, the Turning Point
· August theme: Jesus the Foundation
I. The day I failed
In my walk with Jesus I always remember what the turning point was from who I was to who I am. For me it was the day I realized I failed. I failed in my deepest desires chasing things I wanted. I failed in all of it.
Your turning point may be completely different. Or it may even be a series of events that lead to one point.
However, when I reflect on my failure it is actually the best thing that could have happened to my life. The turning point from just knowing Jesus existed to actually NEEDING him. Being completely lost, yet when I look back it's like Jesus searched me out and changed my life.
II. Why me
I would always ask why me. With everything I struggle with why would Jesus seek me out.
And truthfully it has nothing to do with anything I did, but everything to do with what Jesus did.
So when you look back at your life and think about that turning point. Remember that Jesus searched you out.
III. The conviction
Now when I had this turning point I wasn't perfect after. Wasn't holier than thou. I was still living in sin, but the difference was the conviction.
Things I used to do so effortlessly with no afterthought and no conviction started to stir my soul. That was the Holy Spirit. Removing the sin, the pain, the hurt and freeing me from the shackles of sin.
So that singular turning point moment turned into a process of refinement. And after so long the weight of it all was lifted.
IV. Something to behold
Then I understood what it meant to be a new creation. My own family saying I've been changing. Old friends saying I'm different. Not only saying that, but truly seeing the change. They would ask what I'm doing and how did I change.
The answer is JESUS. Infinite times over the answer is Jesus. Freed me from the shackles. Refined me and honestly is continuing to refine me. My path has completely changed because Jesus is leading the way.
However are you willing to go through the refinement. To look at the deepest parts of yourself. You got a glimpse of Jesus. That moment. Don't deny it. Maybe you've even been denying that moment for a while. But you know it was Jesus. Go through that walk. Be transformed by the renewing of your mind.
"Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new." — 2 Corinthians 5:17, KJV
That word behold is powerful. When people see the new you. Something to behold. That new person you are. No longer bound by the sin, but set free in perfect liberty. You just want more of Jesus every day.
"Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin." — Romans 6:6, KJV
We give the devil too much credit. We even think how am I going to get over this sin. There's nothing new under the sun. There are people who overcame the same sins and struggles you may be dealing with. The level and extent may vary. But the fact that one person can overcome it means that it is possible for it to be overcome. Maybe you need to be the one who overcomes something to show others it's possible.
I'm still in the process of overcoming, but the joy I feel knowing Jesus is using me for something greater is incomparable. I failed in my own desires, living in my own sin. But Jesus was the turning point from who I was to who I am.
TO THE ENDS OF THE EARTH,
Isaiah Abraham
