7-9-23 Willisburg Bulletin
We have all heard people say this, especially those that want to use this as an excuse to why they have chosen the path of sin regarding their identity. God created male and female in the beginning, the only two genders there was and will ever be. But we also must be on guard, because too often we fall into the same trap when we sin. We seek to justify it with “that’s just the way I am.” Have you thought about what the claim, “that’s just who I am” or “that’s just how I am” really infers?
God’s Power Still Active
When we make the claims from above, do we realize we’re negating the sovereign power of God that changes people. Do we really believe Romans 1:16-17? In Ephesians, Paul is telling the Christians at Ephesus that Christ’s power is still active and the gospel still has the power to change people. If it can change Paul, “the chief of sinners” (1 Timothy 1:15), who was killing Christians with a clear conscience, it can change you and me. Just as Paul had a purpose to fulfill, we have been give a purpose in Christ’s plan too.
Serve Where You Are
Most likely Paul was in prison when he was writing to the Ephesians, yet he still served God where he was, just as me and you can too. Whether we’re on the east or west coast, work from home or in office, have kids or don’t, have family near or never see them; it doesn’t matter because wherever we are in life, we can serve God. We don’t need a different position or situation to be faithful to God and what He’s called for us to do.
We’re Never Stuck
However, there are times when we might find ourselves in sin and we might be thinking I can’t get out of this. Or maybe we find ourselves in a state where we haven’t grown in a while. We must realize we are never stuck where we are. God has a path laid out for us. We tend to fall by the wayside sometimes. However, He always provides a way of escape (1 Corinthians 10:13). He is ready and willing to forgive all who ask it of Him (1 John 1:9). We must understand the claim “it’s just how I am” is not an excuse to sin nor live in it. Paul was writing to the saints at Ephesus, which literally means the “holy ones”, those that are set apart/different, those in Christ. Think about the major worldly pulls those Christians were dealing with. Ephesus was the home of the temple of Diana, paganism was rampant, idolatry was the culture; yet, the Ephesians were faithful. We’re in that exact situation, in a non-God fearing world, but we’re still called to live holy lives (1 Peter 1:13-16), no matter what/who we’re surrounded by.
Challenge: Think
I challenge you to sit down for five minutes today to think about this. Do you catch yourself saying, “that’s just how/who I am”? Do you believe God’s power is still active and can prick yours and others hearts still? Think about how you can serve God where you are in your life. Paul was called to be an apostle and write the letters. You’re called to be a Christian, but how do you act on it? How can you serve God in your exact situation? How can you grow? Are you a saint? What words do you want others to describe you as?