Luke 8:35 Then they went out to see what was done; and came to Jesus, and found the man, out of whom the devils were departed, sitting at the feet of Jesus, clothed, and in his right mind: and they were afraid.

What were they afraid of here?

If you have read the story, this man was Legion, possessed of many devils. This is the story of the herd of pigs that threw themselves off a cliff into the lake and died. The report went out into the town from the men who owned the pigs. These men lost their herd.

Is it possible that the fear is directly related to fear of loss? Is it part of a sinners concern that if they should surrender to Jesus and make Him Lord, that they would lose something worldly?

This is fear of the unknown by the unlearned. This man did not own the pigs. He was living in the tombs, among the dead. When people see others come into their right mind, it is fearful for them. They don’t understand what has happened so they relate to the miracle brought by God on their own terms, in their own understanding.

When I came into my right mind the change was so dramatic some thought I had lost my mind. They were comfortable dealing with me the sinner but became fearful of the new creature who listen to God and was no longer party to their behavior. They feared they might suffer loss if they continued to hang around me. Sinners do not like to see sinners stop old behaviors. It makes them fear for themselves.

This is our first witness when we come into our right minds. They see us at the feet of Jesus and no longer hanging out with them. I was no longer hanging out with the dead. The tombs lost one of its occupants.

Nothing shakes up the dead like one of them getting up and walking out.

Genesis 34:15b If ye will be as we be,

Please consider that statement for a moment. Let it sink in and soak for a moment.

Do you hear this all about you? Isn’t every faction saying the same thing? Even diversity has turned into a form of conformity because it, in and of itself, has turned into a look.

Hidden from view here is deceitfulness. The words spoken by men, while sounding like they were suing for peace, held a hidden agenda. Concessions were made based in a lie. In the offering was hidden a deeper truth.

“If you will be as deceitful as we are,”

Never ask another to be like you if are not right before God.

Ephesians 2:7-9 That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.

I see the strength in Christianity in that we are not asking anyone to be like us, for we all are sinners. It is not what we have done, but rather the mercies that God has shown us, sinners, saved by grace. We are no different.

Romans 3:23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;

So many labels, so many opinions, so many talking points, so much posturing and posing and for what? To show ourselves or to show God’s mercies?

Yes I am changed, yes I am the better for it, but have I so quickly forgotten the mercies that made all that possible?

John 11:40 Jesus saith unto her, Said I not unto thee, that, if thou wouldest believe, thou shouldest see the glory of God?

Look to God, not me.