that they may be one just as We are one… —John 17:22
“Personality is the unique, limitless part of our life that
makes us distinct from everyone else. It is too vast for us even to comprehend.
An island in the sea may be just the top of a large mountain, and our
personality is like that island. We don’t know the great depths of our being,
therefore we cannot measure ourselves. […] Personality is the characteristic
mark of the inner, spiritual man, just as individuality is the characteristic
of the outer, natural man. Our Lord can never be described in terms of
individuality and independence, but only in terms of His total Person— “I and
My Father are one” (John 10:30).
Personality merges, and you only reach your true identity once you are merged
with another person. When love or the Spirit of God come upon a person, he is
transformed. […] Our Lord never referred to a person’s individuality or his
isolated position, but spoke in terms of the total person— “…that they may be
one just as We are one….” Once your rights to yourself are surrendered to God,
your true personal nature begins responding to God immediately. Jesus Christ
brings freedom to your total person, and even your individuality is
transformed. The transformation is brought about by love— personal devotion to
Jesus. Love is the overflowing result of one person in true fellowship with
another.” CHAMBERS
Have you ever heard someone say “That is just the way that I
am.”? Or how about, that is how everyone
in his family is. Essentially making an
excuse for some behavior that is clearly not consistent with who we are in
Christ, but totally consistent with our old nature. It is a constant struggle between the Spirit
and the flesh. Don’t give in to the idea
that you can never change, or worse, that whatever the matter is that resists
change is excusable because it was inherited or it’s just your nature. 2
Corinthians 5:17 says you have a “new” nature … God has given you that
capacity to become one with Jesus and the Father through salvation and the
Spirit. You need more of Jesus and less
of you. That is the problem. Be careful that you don’t make allowances for
sin in this way. Don’t think for a
minute that you can yield to your flesh and then just move on as if nothing had
happened. If you sin, it affects others
and it affects you spiritually. You
cannot come before God with sin on your heart.
Oh you may “do” the same Christian things, but you have interrupted the
spiritual power the connects you to the Father.
Listen, salvation is not based upon what you do, but what Christ did for
you. You can’t be a better person to
gain salvation. As a Christian, when you
sin, you will not lose your salvation. But
sin can disrupt your relationship and making excuses for the imperfections of
your flesh does not please God and you know it’s not right. So confess it to God and ask for forgiveness if
you have offended anyone, just don't pretend like it didn't happen … ELGIN
Bondye Beni Ou (God Bless You)
Charley Elgin
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