Our lives are profoundly influenced by others with whom we associate. This holds true whether our association is continuous or only casual and occasional. I believe I have heard that there are approximately five hundred people over which we exercise some influence, and of course there are a like number that exercise an influence over our own lives. If this be true we are not as exclusive and isolated as we have thought ourselves to be.
I know I have been influenced greatly by certain people with whom I have been associated, and I have been told that I too have exerted somewhat of an influence at times over the lives of others around me. it seems I the light of certain proof I must accept such as being the case. Since this seems to be true, certainly we should desire, by our lives, to lift people to a higher plane of Christian living.
I look back with some shame and regret to the days when my life was not lived as a true Christian. I must have influenced others evilly for I always seemed to have associates in whatever I was doing that was not right. Now, I wish that I had understood these things and that I could have been at all times a more wholesome influence to my friends. But certainly life is much too short to waste on regretting what is past. There are far too many important things for us to do today. But this now brings me to the thought for this day.
“When you know Him”. One day I met someone who influenced me greatly; more than that, He changed me completely. I am speaking of Jesus, the lovely Son of God. When first I met Him the meeting was only casual but I was somehow greatly impressed by His presence. In fact, at the first meeting I neither recognized Him nor understood that I was being influenced by Him for He came to me in the hustle and whirl of my every day life. Just a passing glance; ever so light a touch by His hand, but it awakened in me a desire for something better. I saw mirrored in the emptiness of my own soul the possibilities of a better life, and unconsciously at first but quite deliberately, I turned my steps toward God. I cannot tell you how many times He passed my way before I learned to appreciate and recognize His presence, but I well remember my first formal introduction to Him.
It was at a busy intersection in down-town Detroit, Michigan where I chanced to stop for a few moments to listen to some music; or was it a chance? I am now inclined to believe it was a meeting well planned by Christ, my Savior, who had already seen my great need and was taking action in my behalf. Something was said that day; some song took hold of my heart; I recognized reality in manifestation and from that day to this I have been different.
I started that day to beat a path deliberately and consistently to the throne of grace. Thank God the day came when I entered into a relationship with Christ which is purely divine in character but quite practical in all it’s applications.
“When you know Him,” your life will be different. You can never be the same after you have met Him and have partaken of His graces. “When you know Him,” the sins of the past will be forgotten, forgiven and forsaken. “When you know him,” the night will have passed forever and a beautiful day, new real and eternal will have dawned for you. “When you know Him,” the desire to live in His presence will replace the old desires for pleasant human associations. “Wen you know Him,” His love will warm your heart, change your life and flowing through you, will bless others. “When you know Him,” you will recognize that you are now a part of a divine kingdom which shall have no end.
Yes, “When you know Him,” old things will have passed away and all things will be new. “When you know Him,” miracles are expected and experienced while His mercies are new every morning. “When you know Him,” your old associates will ‘think it strange that you run not with them to the same excess of riot’ often speaking evil of you; but since you are living in the light of His presence, ‘none of these things shall move you’. “When you know Him,” Heaven does not seem far away but the things of this earth have grown strangely dim in the light of His glory and grace.
If you do know Him, by this time you are rejoicing with me. If you do not know Him, will you not this day come to Him, repenting of your sins and receiving from His hand, forgiveness, fullness of joy and eternal assurance. If we somehow have lost the vital touch of His presence, may we without further delay retrace our steps to the cross of Calvary and there looking up into His lovely face again renew our consecration. To know Him is to have only one great burning desire.
This was expressed so beautifully by Paul the great apostle who cried out, “Oh that I may know Him, and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being made comfortable unto His death. Yes, “When you know Him,” you too will desire to be like Him. You will be determined to follow Him all the way, even unto death.
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