Sammy Davis Jr., and others I’m sure, made hits out of the song entitled, “I’ve got to be me.” Other songs like “I did it my way” are songs that carry a similar theme. Of all the things God wants from us in life the one and only important thing is that we be ourselves. He created us with all the unique characteristics that make us one in seven billion people (or more!). You’ve all heard it! We’re as unique as each individual snowflake of which we’ll start seeing a lot of pretty soon here in Nebraska. God wants us to be who He created us to be.

Being saved by grace and not by works ensures that we will be counted as righteous before our God and savior. We are united with Christ and his righteousness is imputed to us. In Christ we are perfectly acceptable and righteous in God’s eyes. For every Christian this is who we really are! God calls us to be ourselves. It’s not easy to do because we’re in a constant battle with sin in our lives. It’s impossible for us to live up to God’s view of us in this life, but it’s a battle we’re all called to fight. Sin is the battle ground, and we’re all called to fight the good fight. It’s a battle of becoming who we truly are in God’s eyes. The Bible makes this perfectly clear. You have already died with Christ (Rom. 6:5–6); therefore “consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus” (Rom. 6:11). You have already been made alive together with Christ (Eph. 2:5); therefore, “seek the things that are above” (Col. 3:1). You are already holy in Christ (Col. 3:12); therefore “be holy in all your conduct” (1 Pet. 1:15). You already are the light of the world in Christ (Matt. 5:14); therefore, “let your light shine” (Matt. 5:16).

We should never sign a peace treaty with sin in our lives, but continue to fight the good fight. Paul talks about pressing on toward the mark “of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.” It’s a battle and it begins with faith in Jesus Christ. Through our relationship with Him, His righteousness is ours, and because of that we received a new impulse (a new Spirit) to become what we really are. The greatest weapon in our arsenal is this reality. We are accepted by grace through faith alone. It’s not our works or deeds that make us acceptable. It’s His performance, not ours, that wins the ultimate battle for us, but by our battle with sin we gradually become what we are in Him because of Him.

Chuck
“If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.” Colossians 3:1-2