Romans 12:2 Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think.
Jesus loves us just the way we are, but he loves us too much to leave us there. He said it was for freedom He set us free, not to go back or stay stuck in the bondage of sin. Sometimes we find freedom in a moment and other times it is a process. Both are powerful and apart of every believers life. On day one, if God showed us what all He wanted to transform, we would get overwhelmed and most likely discouraged. In His kindness, he leads us one step at a time. Know following Jesus you will still sin. But when we sin we have Jesus who goes to our defense, first to forgive us then to set us free from sin’s grip.
So how do we get transformed. You might think it begins with trying really hard. If we could try hard enough to change we wouldn’t need Jesus in our life. Then there are times when we really want to change and we just feel stuck where we are. So where do you begin if not trying harder. It begins with our identity. We are in a world that says your identity is based on how much money you have, what you drive, your marital status, and your past. That is not where a believer finds identity. I believer finds there identity in Jesus. Because of Jesus we are fully forgiven, dressed in His goodness, and adopted sons and daughters of the living God. I don’t know about you but that is way better than the world has to offer. So what does Identity have to do with transformation? EVERYTHING, Identity shapes behavior. We act on what we believe ourselves to be. If you identify with the overcoming, loving Jesus, then your will find yourself overcoming and loving like Jesus. If we identify as a messed up worm, then we will act like a messed up worm.
So what about the places in your life that don’t look like Jesus. Do we just trust that God forgives and keep living in our sin. NO! Jesus paid way to high of price for us not to overcome! You can overcome with His strength and grace. God in His kindness will show you things in your life that need to be transformed. When you know what needs to change confess it. First to God and then to another believer. When you bring sin into light by confessing it to someone who can encourage you to find freedom, there is something powerful that happens. I know this feels really vulnerable. This is just the way Jesus designed it. We all have a past, so don’t be concerned with whether your will be accepted by confessing your sin.
So everyday as you worship, pray and read God’s word, let it change the way you see yourself. As you look into the life of Jesus, how he talked, treated people, and the power he walked in ask God to change the way you see yourself. When you do God will show you some things that do not look like Jesus. It is easy to feel ashamed here. Don’t! Confess it to God and to another believer and pray God would forgive you and give you strength to live in His freedom. Confession is a daily part of a healthy believer.
Jesus I thank you that you love us just the way we are but love us too much to leave us that way. I pray you would transform the way we see ourselves, that we would identify with Jesus even when we do not feel much like him. I thank you that when we confess our sin to you, you forgive us and give us grace to overcome. I pray strength over my friend that they would find New Life in you. In Jesus Name. Amen
