“That’s just how I am.” “Like me or leave me.” These are popular phrases, but are they Godly?
Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you. But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God. ~1 Corinthians 6:9-11 (emphasis added)
This is a strong list, so I can hear you saying, “I’m not any of those things; I just have a temper” or “I have a stubborn streak, but people can live with it.” The problem is “angry” and “stubborn” are not fruits of the Spirit.
“No one is perfect” is another phrase that gets thrown around but, while true, the attitude is usually the opposite of contrite or repentant, which is the posture that a Christian should have. Seeing our shortcomings can be overwhelming, but if we want to be more like Jesus, we must be willing change the areas we need to in order to accomplish that goal. There may be people who love you as you are, but if you love them, you will not stay like you are.
It is not easy to change. Addictions lure us. The flesh gets comfortable. You wonder if it’s possible to live the holy, Christ-centered life you’ve heard about. First Corinthians 10:13 says:
No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.
The problem is that many don’t take that “way of escape.” They close their eyes so they don’t see it and then they inform those who care about them, “I couldn’t help it.” The truth is that you can. You just don’t want to.
I find it hard to overcome the old nature too. I imagine most people do. But I have seen what God can do through lives fully surrendered to Him, and that is what I want to be. In fact, I can’t afford to live any other way. And neither can you.
It’s still the first month of the year which makes it a great time to start anew. But don’t just make rash promises that are going to dissipate when the emotions of the moment have subsided. Take time to read God’s Word, examine your life, and see the areas in which you need to change. Then commit to never again make those statements I mentioned at the beginning of this post. When you fall back into old habits, stop and acknowledge them to someone standing by if necessary but definitely to the Lord. Go back to Him as many times as it takes and ask Him to help you overcome. Pray that He will show you a way to stop falling back into those habits … and then listen to what He says. May we all end the year less like we are and more like He is.