I Know Who You Are (Romans 2:5)

I had a friend in college who fancied himself as an expert on personality types. He liked to figure out the kind of person you were and by doing so, would be able to predict your behavior. I learned of this peculiar trait after a few months with him. One day, he turned to me and said, “I know who you are!”

“What do you mean?” I stammered.

“You are the kind of person who likes to build a foundation. Your world has to be built one idea at a time. And if you find something that doesn’t fit on to that foundation, you discard it and find another that will.”

Amused, I asked him, “So what does that mean?”

“It means you are very stubborn and will not accept new ideas until you have examined it for a long time,” he confidently replied.

I reflected for a moment upon his statement. At least part of what he stated was true. New ideas that are presented to me do not find a quick acceptance. I study an idea, turn it around, and examine it from all viewpoints, until I am satisfied that it is valid.

And I believe this is why I accepted Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior. Through a series of encounters that was clearly the Hand of God directing events, I turned from atheism, to universalism, to Christianity. Along the way, I had to painstakingly convince myself of the truth of each belief system I encountered. But when I was confronted with Christianity, it was different. I was confronted with the truth; it was a glorious truth that completely turned my world upside down. In fact, I had to fight and struggle to consider reasons why this might NOT be the truth-all to no avail.

But in accordance with your hardness and your impenitent heart you are treasuring up for yourself wrath in the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God,
Romans 2:5

This was me. I am stubborn. By my own efforts, I would never have come to God. It was only by God drawing me toward Him and revealing Himself to me, was I able to come to the point where I realized the depth of my depravity. I needed a Savior. I needed Jesus Christ.

Thanks be to God’s mercy and grace. He saved me through the death and resurrection of His Son, Jesus Christ. The same stubbornness that kept me from His loving grace for so many years, now keeps me secure in His salvation. And I am eternally grateful!

Love and trust the Lord; seek His will in your life.