Galatians 2:19,20—When I tried to obey the law’s standards, those laws killed me. As a result, I live in a relationship with God. I have been crucified with Christ. I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live I live by believing in God’s Son, Who loved me and took the punishment for my sins. (God’s Word translation)
The Army has a wonderful way of identifying its own. Each soldier on his or her uniform wears a patch on the left shoulder marking the unit the soldier serves with. On active duty, I wore a patch called "the Screaming Eagle" which identified me as a member of the 101st Airborne (Air Assault) Division.
Wouldn’t it be novel if people wore patches identifying their religious belief? If we wore patches that signified we were Christians, wouldn’t we be much more careful how we lived? Others would observe our behavior and form their opinion of Christianity accordingly.
If I am living for Jesus, my life is being altered. People should see the changes Jesus brings about in my character, my actions and my disposition. The key to alteration is consciously working at taking off the depraved uniform of self with its "I " patch, to wear the uniform Jesus is making for me—a uniform whose distinctive patch is the cross. Jesus never forces me to be altered. I must of my own free will put on my cross and follow Him.
Inspiration
