Ephesians 4:1 I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called,

I’ve been trying to walk worthy for some time now. I really am trying. Today I was paid respect by someone nearly my age. I felt embarrassed and made a mild joke about it. I realized afterwards that I was not honoring the respect given. I felt bad about it, but I am not used to receiving respect, even after all these years.

In a former life I was not worthy of respect. I was a selfish sinner, to say the least. When you live that sinful life you get used to the avoidance, the lack of respect. I’ve changed, I am not that man any longer and the people that respect me now never knew that other guy. They don’t have to find a way to forgive and forget hurt, because I have not hurt these people.

I need to learn how to accept respect with humility and not with humor. I do not presently know anyone who was part of that former life. If I ran into them, I don’t know if they would see me as I am. Would I see them for who they are now.

Perhaps the hardest people to be around is family. They knew me from a child and were part of my shady history. Most know I’ve changed but it doesn’t matter to them, I am still family and while they might love me, respect isn’t given.

Mark 6:3 Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary, the brother of James, and Joses, and of Juda, and Simon? and are not his sisters here with us? And they were offended at him.

So Jesus knows how I feel.

Colossians 3:9-10 Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds; And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him:

The greatest difficulty for historical Jews to overcome in seeing Jesus was this great mystery; how could God lower Himself to become man? It was and still is a great stumbling block of offense for many.

God says there was no other way. Man would never come to know the great mystery of His will if He did not do it Himself.

John 14:8-9 Philip saith unto him, Lord, show us the Father, and it sufficeth us. Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Show us the Father?

This was Christ’s example set before us in which we, being born again, a new creature, are expected to do the same. As hard as it was for the Jews to see God the Father in Christ Jesus, it seems difficult also for us to see and show Christ in ourselves. Yet that is what is expected.

Put of the old guy, put on the new, like it is clean clothes. Sounds great in principle but you are still you. We change, but we are still that human being that has the capacity to sin. This is true, but what Paul is asking of us here in Colossians 3 is to follow our inclinations. A new mind, and a new heart means a change in character, in inclination and intent.

I recognize that my nature is to be difficult, much more so if I have not had enough sleep. It is on days when I am tired that I have to take steps to not allow old habits to infect present relationships. That’s me, I recognize my weaknesses and try and avoid hurting others.

But I am not perfect in practice so it becomes necessary for my family to recognize my condition. This is why we need to show ourselves to our brothers and sisters in Christ that we fellowship with. To see and show Christ is easier if we can be seen for who we are as the imperfect person, all else is Christ.