We have new genetics in Jesus. This is something Beth said in San Antonio and it has gotten me thinking about what it really means to be new creations in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17).
How many of us have had powerful conversion experiences, only to return to the status quo a few months or years down the road?
Maybe we've added church and Christian music and a few church-related activities to our daily lives - or maybe football or T-ball or soccer are more important that gathering together to worship.
Maybe we've changed the places we spend our time, the television we watch and the things we choose to talk about - or maybe we've traded gossip about co-workers with gossip about fellow Christians.
And maybe we've overcome powerful addictions or walked away from destructive relationships or been pulled out of terrifying circumstances... But outward appearances and changes aside, we still wallow in self-destruction and self-pity.
When the things of this world are more important than the things of God, we are in chains. When we live a life that is no different from the world around us, we are in chains. When we change "big sins" like promiscuity for the hidden sins such as self-loathing...
We are still in chains.
And by "we" I mean I. I know that I often find myself settling back in to my chains with thoughts of;
"I can't help what has happened to me."
or, "This is just the way I was made."
or, "Nothing is ever really going to change."
What? WHAT?!?
Everything in the world has changed!!
Eleven years, eleven months and eleven days ago (wow! weird how that worked out!) God swooped me up out of the death of sin to claim me as His.
To change my genetics and re-write my identity.
To redeem my past, inhabit my present and guarantee my future.
Why do I keep putting that old self back on? Why do I keep wearing an identity that isn't mine anymore?
Why do you?
5 comments:
OK, kiddo, you can get off my toes, and out of my business anytime now. I am in the exact same place as you are. Why do I keep putting on the old man? Could it be because it is comfortable and familar? Because really changing my reality to the way God sees me and not the way the world sees me, may mean giving things, people, and places up? What if the people in the new place don't like me, except me, or love me? What if I don't like, except or love the new man? Most of all I think it is very hard for me to believe that God is actually able to change me from this piece of crap to something that is worthy of His time, engry, and effort.
You are keeping it so real. I am proud of you, and love you to the moon and back again.
Sallye
Good question. Maybe my old genes--like my old jeans--have the most comfortable fit. :) Thanks for your great thoughts!
A
It's much easier to pretend to be the person I know I should be, than to actually BE that person. I can put on different masks for different people, and maintain the status quo, but it's much harder to really deal with heart issues.
Proverbs 4:23 says, "Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it spring the issues of life." Dealing with my heart is much more time intensive and difficult than putting on those masks.
Xandra
Bethany
I have wondered that myself. The conclusion that I have come to - if I became complete "whole" never falling back into sin, then would I stay dependent on the Lord?
Would I get to the point that I truly think that I can do this on my own with out him? Would I turn into a Pharisee- thinking I had it all straight? Self righteous in word and deed?
The reminder I know keeps me on my knees, and humble!
Angie
I don't know, Bethany, but I can tell you that I can't wait for heaven when those "pits" are no longer an issue.
Actually, after reading that last sentence, I realized that I am not giving enough credit to God for enabling me the victory here on earth. I guess we should just keep on praying...
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