Who Are You?
You are a Christian; that's your identity. With that being said, do you have a problem living up to what God expects of you in your daily life? I did, and what a frustrating life it was. (We'll get to what changed as we go on.) No matter how hard any of us try to do what the Scriptures say, the Christian walk continues to be impossible. Its demands are clear: "Love your neighbor as yourself" and "Love one another as Christ loved the church and gave Himself up for her." And how did He love the church? You know the passage below that's from 1 Corinthians 13. Just try loving others like He does us --doing it consistently like He does.
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails. (1 Corinthians 13:4-8)
How Do You Know?
If loving others like Jesus loves isn't impossible enough, then try living a holy life!
But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: "Be holy, because I am holy." (1 Peter 1:15-16)
Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect. (Matthew 5:48)
There is no way to measure up to these, regardless of all the "striving" and "denying self" that we can do. On the outside a person might look and sound good to some, but on the inside there is a totally different story being told. I've been told (by a very few) that I'm a great person and good influence on them, I wish they could see the inner battles going on to keep up those "good appearances." The good news is that God doesn't expect His children to live a life of striving to be acceptable in His eyes. He has provided something inexpressibly better for us.
