Romans 14:23
"For whatever does not originate and proceed from faith is sin (whatever is done without a conviction of its approval by God is sinful)."
What does it mean to be Christlike?
Whether we realize it or not, we always like to be in control so that we avoid being hurt. Are we acting Christlike when we are on the offense protecting ourselves? When we tune those out who hurt us most? When avoid certain situations to avoid being hurt again?
That is a tough one by all means. After all, how often should we be slapped with pain before we eventually shut down?
Whenever I get off track, it helps me to get things straightened out in my life by going to Romans 14:23 and say, "You know what, Valerie, this attitude you got - how you see yourself fabricating how life should be treating you - is NOT faith, and, yes, it is sin. This does not bring GLORY to God."
This has got to be our biggest battle. HOW WE SEE OURSELVES properly. We have to learn to see ourselves not as how we would like to be - comfortable and at peace every minute - but IN CHRIST. The number one need that we have is to know God. And the number two need we have is to know who we are in Christ. Until I began to know who I was in Christ, life was not its best. I was constantly correcting myself and those around me. I had to really see what the Bible was telling me rather than the way I felt I should be treated or how life should be going. Once I began to now who I was in Christ, everything changed. Now I don't care to think about what others think of me. If it doesn't line up with the Word of God, then that thinking is wrong. I don't care what I feel either; if it doesn't line up with the WORD of God, then how I feel and act is WRONG, too.
We have to make a decision that we are going to see what God says about us: he says that you have gifts and talents and abilities; you are capable of anything. What he asks you to do you can do even if it hurts. You are strong in the Lord. You are not weak; you can forgive and move on. It has to be more than just someone writing to you in a blog. You have to meditate and study and read it - yes, his good WORD - over and over. Through this, you will believe it, and it will transform you. When you know the difference between you and the flesh and who YOU ARE in Christ; things start to get really, really, good.
Let go of what ever it is that is darkening your soul and be Christlike.
This Week's Meditation:
Teach me to be Christlike
Pray:
Help me to realize that know matter how I feel I must trust in your word.
Teach me how I can redeem myself and feel justified God is working through me.
Remind me that through meditation and reading the Bible I can be more Christlike.
Meditate on this for several minutes a day. Allow various thoughts to come into your mind. And realize God has you in his arms always.