BY JACK WARD
Many years ago, an evangelist named Jakov arrived in a village in Serbia. He met an elderly man there named Cimmerman, and Jakov began to talk to him about the love of Christ. Cimmerman abruptly interrupted Jakov and told him that he wished to have nothing to do with Christianity. He reminded Jakov of the dreadful history of the church in his town, where church leaders had plundered, exploited and killed innocent people.
“My own nephew was killed by them,” he said, and angrily rejected any effort on Jakov’s part to talk about Christ. He told Jakov, “They wear those elaborate coats and crosses, but their evil designs and lives I cannot ignore.”
Jakov replied, “Cimmerman, can I ask you a question? Suppose I were to steal your coat, put it on and break into a bank. Suppose further that the police sighted me running in the distance but could not catch up with me. One clue, however, put them onto your track: they recognize your coat. What would you say to them if they came to your house and accused you of breaking into the bank?”
“I would deny it,” said Cimmerman. And Jakov countered, “‘Ah, but we saw your coat,’ they would say.” But the analogy annoyed Cimmerman, and he ordered Jakov to leave his home.
Even so, Jakov continued to return to the village periodically to befriend Cimmerman, encourage him, and share the love of Christ with him. Finally, one day Cimmerman asked, “How does one become a Christian?”
Jakov taught him the simple steps of putting his faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, and Cimmerman got down on his knees and trusted in Jesus Christ. As he rose to his feet, wiping his tears, he embraced Jakov and said, “Thank you for being in my life.” And then he pointed to the heavens and whispered, “You wear His coat very well.”
How well are you wearing His coat? How well are you representing your Savior? Are people attracted to Christ by you or are they turned away from Christ by you?
Romans 13:14: “But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.” Galatians 3:27: “For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.” Ephesians 4:24: “And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.” Colossians 3:10: “And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him.”
Have you put on the Lord Jesus Christ? The Apostle Paul talked about putting on the Lord Jesus Christ. That means to clothe yourself. Cover yourself with Christ. Be completely immersed in Him so that when people see you, they see Christ. This world needs Jesus and they will only see Him when they see Him in you. They will only find Him when they find Him in you.
Listen to Pastor Jack’s sermons every Sunday at 10:30 a.m. on 98.9 WSIP FM. Check out the Tomahawk Missionary Baptist Church Facebook page and our website at tomahawkmbc.com.