*The Way I Am

And we are instructed to turn from godless living and sinful pleasures. We should live in this evil world with wisdom, righteousness, and devotion to God, while we look forward with hope to that wonderful day when the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, will be revealed. He gave his life to free us from every kind of sin, to cleanse us, and to make us his very own people, totally committed to doing good deeds. You must teach these things and encourage the believers to do them.

Titus 2:12-15a NLT

“I was born this way.”

“I’ve always been like this.”

“That’s just the way I am!”

We’ve all heard these statements at one time or another…probably from our own mouths. Usually as an excuse for our behavior. Although one or more may be factual, if you are a follower of Jesus Christ, these statements no longer have anything to do with you. "Used to be" don't live here any more...

You may have been “born that way” – but as a follower of Christ, you have been born again. For starters, let's look at 2^nd Corinthians 5:17 NLT, This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!

And if you’ve “always been like this” – then it’s high time for a transformation. Romans 12: 1-2 NKJV, I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.

There’s no time left to excuse our acceptance and tolerance of any of our ways that are not God’s ways. The Great I AM did not make excuses for us – He made provision for us through the Cross and the Blood of His Son. According to Scripture, we are called to do no less. 

Matthew 10:38, If you refuse to take up your cross and follow me, you are not worthy of being mine.

Mark 8:34, Then, calling the crowd to join his disciples, he said, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross, and follow me.

So much for “that's just the way I am”… How about we do it The Way of the Great I AM?

Prayer:

Father,
          Shine Your Light of Truth in our lives. Expose the dangerous deceptions in the guise of acceptance and tolerance. Forgive us for the complacency we have allowed in our lives. Help us learn to righteously wield the Sword of Truth in our lives. In Jesus’ Name we pray. Amen