I have been fascinated as I have traveled on this journey with Jesus at how
very much He has changed my world view. Beginning that day when He reached out
to me and rescued me from the mire and dust to see how many false things I
believed about the world around me, the nature of people, their and abilities,
as well as, the spirit realm.
I experienced something as a young believer who was passionate about
following Jesus that changed the way I saw and experienced the world around me
and within me. Today we would call what happened to me a Biblical immersion
(immerse: reflexive verb to become completely occupied with something, giving
all your time, energy, or concentration to it). Every day for months I immersed
myself in the Word of God reading the Bible and praying for hours about what I
had read everyday. This total immersion not only illuminated (transitive and
intransitive verb to provide somebody with knowledge or with intellectual or
spiritual enlightenment) me but challenged everything I believed, everything I
understood and the way I interacted with the world and everyone in it. Every
thought, action and belief came under the conviction and illumination of the
Holy Spirit. I spent many and hour repenting and grew in grace and truth. This
process did not stop but has has continued for many years now and I have come
to understand that my World view has continuously been changed and molded as I
have submitted myself, my experiences and beliefs to God.
Another significant part of my transformation was the Christ like love and
wisdom of my first pastor, his wife and the church they led. Pastor Jim and
Julie Maley and the people of what is now the Pueblo Christian Center taught me
by example what the Good News of Jesus looked like in everyday life.
My journey as a believer has also been shaped by others in the Kingdom of
God who have written books which are important in adding to or understanding of
what we are a part of and just how our World-view impacts our usefulness to
God. One of the many books that have impacted me is below.
This book opened my eyes to the area of World-view many years ago and is
still around, now in its 4th addition. James Sire's "The Universe Next
Door" is a wonderful resource and should be mandatory reading for all
Christians who interact with anyone who was not been raised in the Church. Sub
titled 'A Basic World-view Catalog' the reader of this book is treated to
insights, such as how the Church's weakened Spiritual state led to the rise of
false religions and a dependency on science as the underpinning of mankind's
belief systems.
If you want to know more go to the IVP web site
http://www.ivpress.com/cgi-ivpress/book.pl/code=2780 or the Equippers Tool Box
@ http://equipperstoolbox.blogspot.com/
The primary reason for mentioning this book is the comparison of the
transformational results and power of a Biblical immersion in the Word and
Spirit of God and the contrasting de-transformational results of a life which
is not filled with the truth and power of God.
When Jesus came he spent three plus years proclaiming the Kingdom of God.
Many could not or would not allow their world-view to be changed by the truth
and power He proclaimed through a life that did the will of the Father and that
was empowered by the Holy Spirit.
One of the most fascinating Biblical accounts
of Jesus' impact on people is the account of the disciples on the road to
Emmaus.
Lk 24:13-18
13 Now that same day two of them were going to a
village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem. 14 They were
talking with each other about everything that had happened. 15 As they
talked and discussed these things with each other, Jesus himself came up and
walked along with them; 16 but they were kept from recognizing him.
17 He asked them, "What are you discussing together as you walk
along?"
They stood still, their faces downcast. 18 One of them, named Cleopas, asked
him, "Are you only a visitor to Jerusalem and do not know the things
that have happened there in these days?" They stood still, their faces
downcast. 18 One of them, named Cleopas, asked him, "Are you only a
visitor to Jerusalem and do not know the things that have happened there in
these days?"
19 "What things?" he asked. "About Jesus of Nazareth," they
replied. "He was a
prophet, powerful in word and deed before God and all the people. 20 The
chief priests and our rulers handed him over to be sentenced to death, and
they crucified him; 21 but we had hoped that he was the one who was going to
redeem Israel. And what is more, it is the third day since all this took
place. 22 In addition, some of our women amazed us. They went to the tomb
early this morning 23 but didn't find his body. They came and told us that
they had seen a vision of angels, who said he was alive. 24 Then some of our
companions went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but him
they did not see." 25 He said to them, "How foolish you are, and how
slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! 26 Did not the
Christ have to suffer these things and then enter his glory?" 27 And
beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said
in all the Scriptures concerning himself. 28 As they approached the village to
which they were going, Jesus acted as if he were going farther. 29 But they
urged him strongly, "Stay with us, for it
is nearly evening; the day is almost over." So he went in to stay with
them.
30 When he was at the table with them, he took bread, gave thanks, broke it
and began to give it to them. 31 Then their eyes were opened and they
recognized him, and he disappeared from their sight. 32 They asked each
other, "Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on
the
road and opened the Scriptures to us?"
Their hearts burned within them! The fire of God not only illuminates it also
burns away the impure and all that is not of God.
Will you allow God to immerse you in His Word and Spirit, allowing His
Spirit to illuminate and burn away all that is not of Him?Your World View will Change to His World View even as Moses' was changed
when he spent 40 days and nights in the presence of God!
The light of His glory will not fade, but it will transform us as we immerse
ourselves in His Word and Spirit continuously!