You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness. Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to your neighbor, for we are all members of one body. “In your anger do not sin”: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold. Anyone who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with their own hands, that they may have something to share with those in need. Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave Himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.
-Ephesians 4:21-5:2 (NIV)
Did you know that people can become so puffed up in their knowledge ABOUT God, not even know Him, and on the inside, live completely unchanged?
They can perform miracles, speak eloquently, and pray seemingly powerful prayers followed by signs and wonders, even live in strict obedience to God’s ways, and still live far from God’s heart.
It’s not about quoting scripture, having all the right answers, or the ability to perform outward “spiritual” acts that make one look spiritual, or going down the “do this,” “don’t do that” checklist, but knowing Him intimately, walking with Him, loving like Him, becoming the very image of who He is, and manifesting His fruit.
Friend, this is a loving warning…the gate is narrow. Anyone can “sound” like a Christian, but are we bearing His fruit supernaturally?
Are we becoming like the very nature of who He is?
We can go to church, plug into all kinds of ministries, serve in various areas, tithe 10%, go to all kinds of spiritual events, and still be like our old selves, with hidden motives of pride (this includes pride in our obedience and knowledge about God), insecurity, jealousy, selfishness, and even greed.
We can harbor unforgiveness, have a bitter and critical heart, judge others if we feel they don’t measure up, and hide these ugly to God areas from others, leading ourselves deeper into deception.
Apart from Him, we are just actors who can learn a “Christian” language and never really know Him.
To know Him is to become like Him in the purest form. From there, we aren’t just a bunch of performing Christians who have the right answer, but we are actually being formed into the very image of our Father with an effortless flow of His love.
The goal of our instruction is to love — and He is love.
The only way we can live this way is if we are willing to get with Him in the secret place and allow the Holy Spirit to reveal all the hidden motives of our heart and die to the many ways we’ve deceived ourselves into “looking” like a Christian, with a willingness to die to self.
We have to be willing to face and own where we have learned how to have the Christian response, but our motives are for selfish gain or the accolades that come with sounding wise.
Let’s stop playing Church and become Her — the bride of Christ.
Let’s get back to the heart of the gospel that has the power to change us and stop living in conflict with our old natures.
Jesus paid for more than just our ticket to Heaven.
He paid for our salvation, sozo: to save, to heal, to deliver, to protect, to be made whole, to be safe, a spiritual rebirth, and a new life.
And this salvation is today!
Jesus redeemed what was lost in the garden through sin, giving us back our true identities — made in His image, restored to God’s presence so we can walk with Him for all eternity.
This is the true message of salvation and eternal life.
This new life cannot be found in a Christian checklist or by having all the correct responses, or even through strict obedience where we end up crossing over to works with a sense of pride in how “spiritual” we’ve become, but in believing in Jesus and from there, putting off the old so we can put on Christ.
We were buried with Christ and raised with Him into new life!
This is the power of mercy and grace.
Through mercy we receive salvation, and by grace, we become like Him through the Holy Spirit.
Father, I have been calling myself a Christian for many years, but I’m still battling the old parts of me regularly. I’ve been led to believe I need to pray more, serve more, go to more ministries, and I’ll admit, I’ve learned a lot about you and learned what to say to sound like a Christian, but I’m realizing how much I’m working to obtain something that feels impossible. Outside I feel I’ve changed, but on the inside, I don’t have peace, and your definition of love is a struggle. I’ve reasoned myself into believing this is just the way I am, and continue to fight my flesh, rather than yield to your Spirit within me. Jesus, forgive me for living a double life and not getting real with you. Holy Spirit, reveal the hidden motives in my heart that are keeping me in conflict from living by Your Spirit and producing Your fruit. I’m tired of trying. I’ve exhausted myself emotionally and spiritually trying to arrive rather than just waking with you, learning your heart, and putting off all my old ways so I can wear and walk in my new garments of righteousness. Lord, have your way in and through me until I look and sound like You, bearing Your fruit in all seasons, and loving like You. Give me wisdom and discernment to know when I’m falling into deception, convincing myself I’m “doing it” but still missing Your heart. I don’t want to live apart from You anymore. In Jesus name, I pray, amen.
