I want to take a deeper look at what it means to be a true woman and a true man of God. Now only can this help us reevaluate how we act, but it can also help us identify characteristics we should seek in others–especially if we intend on spending time with them or entering into a relationship with them. We discussed our identities through salvation and the beauty God sees in us, but in order to redefine our reflections, we have to learn a little bit about how we should strive to carry ourselves.
An individual brought up a great point in the comment section of the last blog post. This was a point I was planning on studying, in detail, later on, but I would like to touch on its relevance now, as well. As humans, we are stuck in a bit of a predicament. Because, in recognizing Jesus Christ as our Savior, our souls are sealed and protected. We are emptied of ourselves and filled with the Holy Spirit. However, we are still bound by our humanly flesh during our time here on earth. And that flesh is ugly and riddled with temptation, lust, greed, and sin. It is the “human” in us all–and it’s gross. That’s what made Jesus Christ so phenomenal. He was a human being. He was bound by the same flesh we are bound by. He felt all the same temptations, emotions, urges, desires. But He STILL lived perfectly. We must recognize that, for us, that is an impossibility. There is no way we can do it flawlessly. But, it is something we should STRIVE for–something we should live for, daily. As Christians, we should work towards thinning that flesh so that His light can shine through us as brightly as possible.
With that being said, it is not enough for us to sit back and coast. To think, “Okay, I recognize that He’s real, I recognize what He did for me. But, I guess since I’m bound by this flesh and since He’s always going to forgive me, then it’s alright for me keep living how I’m living. I guess it’s alright for me to remain comfortable in sin. Because, this guy’s sin over here is far worse than my sin. I’m a good person, so I’m good to go.”
That mentality is so off-base. It’s a mentality that I, myself, held for a long time. That’s a very human thought process. If this forgiveness is endlessly offered, then it is a human reaction to attempt to take that for granted. To try to slide by. To compare ourselves to others and to weigh our sins. But that is so far from what’s real and true. That mentality is so dangerous. I know I functioned like that for a very long time. And I can tell you now that, even though those thoughts still run through my mind occasionally, the Holy Spirit is convicting. And if the Holy Spirit is truly living inside of your heart, you will feel the conviction of wrongful action. Whether or not you show it on the surface, whether or not you express it, whether or not you even openly acknowledge it, you know where your heart stands. You know when you are acting in flesh.
I told you this year would be convicting. I refuse to sit back and say only what is going to “feel good” and make us all feel warm and comforted inside. We have to be broken of our earthly mentality. We have to be broken of our thought process that has been conditioned by this crappy society. And in order to be broken, we have to be uncomfortable. We have to reevaluate ourselves and be honest with ourselves. If you are surrounded by people who constantly tell you that what you are doing is so wonderful and right and good, and you never stand eye-to-eye with someone who tells you that you could be better, and holds up the BIBLE as proof of the improvement you can make, then you will never grow.
If we are going to TRULY redefine our reflections and live for Christ, then we have to humble ourselves. We have to let down our guards and open our hearts. We have to feel that conviction and RECOGNIZE it! Recognize that it may take a shot at your ego or your pride; that it may embarrass you or anger you or stir up your emotions. But there is BEAUTY in humility. There is BEAUTY in our scars. So let down your walls. I’m right here with you, doing the same.
Break through the flesh that is binding you down and strive for greatness. We strive, daily, for advancement in our lives. We strive for the starting spot on our athletic teams. We strive for the promotion at work. We strive to make more money. We strive to be perceived as having the perfect family. We strive to be the most popular. We strive to be the most famous. We strive to be the most attractive. We strive to be the biggest, the fastest, the strongest, the best. SO WHY DONT WE STRIVE FOR THAT SAME ADVANCEMENT IN OUR FAITH? What are we so ashamed of? What do we have to lose? A little ego? A little pride? Get real. Break down the barriers this society says we should build around “religion”. Break down the perception you have of where “religion” should be kept on your schedule!
Being a Christian is not about just being in church on Sunday. Being a Christian is a 24-7, 365 day a year TRUTH. Why are we suppressing Him? He is in fellowship, He is in bible study, He is in church, He is in the workplace, He is in our schools, He is at the dinner table, He is on the football field, He is at the bar, He is in the port-a-potty, He is in your car, He is in the airplane, He is in the homeless shelter, He is in the huts of the homeless, He is in the fields of the farmers, He is in the waves of the sea, He is EVERYWHERE! He is everywhere. Who are we to ignore Him? Who are we to try to stifle Him? All He wants is for us to see Him. And to love Him. And in return, He will love us more passionately and more fantastically than any other love we will ever know. He is waiting for us…He is waiting for you. Open your eyes and see Him. Then fall in love and break down your barriers and climb on top of the tallest platform you can find and PRAISE Him. NEVER be afraid to praise Him. Never stop praising Him.
Let’s step away from who we were. Let’s make ourselves so vulnerable that we are raw. Then let’s study Him. Let’s study the Word, and let’s figure out what it all means together.
I know I went off on a bit of a tangent today. I promise next post we will get back to the topic of being men and women for Christ. We will start really studying together. I just really had all of that on my heart and had to let it pour out. I love you, and He loves you. Let’s be exceptional. Together, let’s learn…
