As Christians, we should see things differently than everyone else. Paul reminds us, in 2 Corinthians, that “from now on we regard no one from a worldly point of view. Though we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer” (2 Corinthians 5:16 NIV). The reason behind this change of perspective comes from being saved. 

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!

2 Corinthians 5:17 (NIV)

In Peter’s first letter, he gives us this charge:

But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect (emphasis added).

1 Peter 3:15 (NIV)

Galatians 5:16 admonishes us “to walk by the Spirit, [so] you will not gratify the desires of the flesh (NIV). 

As a new creation in Christ, we have a choice to walk by the Spirit or walk in the flesh. Before we were born again, we had no such option. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus gives us this encouragement.

“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven (emphasis added).

Matthew 5:14-16 (NIV)

A year or so after I was saved, the Lord opened up some new doors for me. I was able to attend University to get my degree, I bought my first brand-new car, and I was at peace for the first time in my life. The outside changes in my life were reflecting the changes inside me. Whenever the opportunity arose to tell someone why my life looked so good, I’d tell them it was the Lord who did it. 

Since we see things differently than the world, the world is only going to notice the superficial changes in our lives. For the most part. The new car, job, house, etc., so when we are asked about those things, we need to set the record straight and let people know who did it, or we could be like Hezekiah. 

King Hezekiah got very sick and was going to die. In fact, the Lord sent the prophet Isaiah to tell him, “Put your house in order, because you are going to die; you will not recover” (2 Kings 20:1 NIV). Hezekiah didn’t want to die, so he prayed to the Lord, and the Lord heard him.

Go back and tell Hezekiah, the ruler of my people, ‘This is what the Lord, the God of your father David, says: I have heard your prayer and seen your tears; I will heal you. On the third day from now you will go up to the temple of the Lord. I will add fifteen years to your life. And I will deliver you and this city from the hand of the king of Assyria. I will defend this city for my sake and for the sake of my servant David.'”

2 Kings 20:5-6 (NIV)

Not only was the Lord going to heal Hezekiah, but he was also going to deliver Jerusalem from the hands of the Assyrians. 

Although the technology was very different in those days, the Babylonians had heard about Hezekiah. 

At that time Marduk-Baladan son of Baladan king of Babylon sent Hezekiah letters and a gift, because he had heard of Hezekiah’s illness.

2 Kings 20:12 (NIV)

When these envoys from Babylonia arrived, they had a lot on their minds. I’m certain they wanted to know how Hezekiah was healed and how Judah had repelled the Assyrian invaders that had destroyed every kingdom before being stopped by Judah. Instead of telling the Babylonians how he was healed and who delivered Judah out of the hands of the Assyrians, Hezekiah gives the envoys a grand tour and shows them all of his stuff. 

The prophet asked, “What did they see in your palace?” “They saw everything in my palace,” Hezekiah said. “There is nothing among my treasures that I did not show them.”

2 Kings 20:15 (NIV)

Because of Hezekiah’s pride in his stuff, the Lord pronounced this judgment upon him.

The time will surely come when everything in your palace, and all that your predecessors have stored up until this day, will be carried off to Babylon. Nothing will be left, says the Lord.

2 Kings 20:17 (NIV)

People will ask you about worldly things; your car, job, house, boat, etc. Your stuff. We must be mindful to tell people why we have good stuff in our lives. Although Jesus mentioned good deeds in Matthew 5:16, everything good and perfect thing we have comes from the Lord. Of course, it’s not the stuff we have that matters. It’s the relationship we have with Jesus that brings us peace and security. Even if we have no material things to show for it. 

Do you know God? God knows you, and he loves you. He sees you as significant because you are. No one is insignificant to Him. He’s with you today, and he wants you to know him. Jesus died for your sins and mine so we could be free of guilt, freed from death, and live eternally with him. Eternal salvation is just a prayer away.

Pray this prayer with me to accept the gift of salvation:

Lord Jesus, forgive me for all my sins. I repent from my ways. Wash me in your blood and cleanse me from all unrighteousness. I believe that you died on the cross, were buried, and on the third day, God the Father raised you from the dead. Right now, Lord Jesus, I open the door to my heart and receive you into my heart as my Lord and personal Savior. Amen.

If you prayed that prayer, then congratulations! You are on the first step of a brand new life. Allow me to be the first to welcome you to my family, the family of God. There are abundant resources available online for new Christians. You can visit here for more information on what to do next. You can also leave me a comment, and I’ll do my best to help you on the next step of this incredible journey. 

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