Free to be Real!

I’m going to take a moment to be real with you…

I have to admit, I’m quite tired of constantly hearing this soppy, self motivating version of Christianity. The unrealistic expectation for me to be an ever confident, image of unwavering faith and Sainthood.

There’s a (not so modern) idea being pushed around that a secret, fuller, more spiritual life is waiting for us believers if we choose to claim it - if we learn to step out and walk in it. A life where we can access untapped potential/power… and if you’re not walking in that life, then you’re not achieving or living up to the potential Christ intended for you. In a sense, you’re living an incomplete Christian life.

I hear people say (with good intentions) things like, “we’ve been made perfect and we should act like we believe it”, or that “we talk too much about our weaknesses and failings” or “we should walk in the light of how God sees us”, constantly telling us how special and holy we now are.

Though there’s truth in these statements, it’s only part of the truth. It’s a one-sided version of the truth, that’s unbalanced and not completely grounded in reality. The error in this way of thinking is that it focuses solely on our eternal POSITION and neglects our current CONDITION.

A theology like this leaves no room for our humanity. No room for weakness, for failure or struggle. 

I'll admit, for a time I fell into this mindset and belief. But I've come to realise that even though I know these things to be true, I don't always feel it inside.

I mean let's be honest, how often do we really feel worthy or holy?

I’ll tell you openly that I find myself in the pit of despair and self condemnation, questioning my every decision and battling my inner thoughts, far more than I’m on the mountain top. So am I wrong for this?

Well I don’t think so.

I am absolutely 100% confident of my eternal POSITION and standing with God. I know I am loved and forgiven, a recipient of His amazing Grace - a gift which I could never earn. And there's nothing I can do that will ever change how He sees me.

But I'm also 100% aware that my current CONDITION is far from ideal. That I'm still the weak and flawed man I was when Christ found me. I'm nowhere near perfect and I certainly am not beyond the ability, nor the proclivity to sin… I'm still in dire need of Jesus.

In my opinion, the sentiment that I should LIVE my best life now is no less binding than the legalist’s claim, that I must MAKE myself better now. It’s the same argument but on different sides of the coin.

It's just as unrealistic and destructive to a believer battling with their flesh and weakness. These lifestyles require us to either strive for perfection, or pretend to already be perfect.

But we all know the truth deep down. We're neither perfect nor able to make ourselves perfect.

In the eyes of God (Positionally) I am perfect, but only through the work of Christ. And one day, I WILL be physically complete and whole in his Kingdom. However, that day is to come and doesn't mean that I am perfect right NOW, in this life!

You see, I want to be real and honest. I want to talk about the real Christian life, one that we can all relate to; The one that’s often messy, uncomfortable, full of trials and constant internal struggle. I won’t tell you that you should wake up each morning, look in the mirror and tell yourself how wonderful and special you are. I’m here to remind you that yes you’re a mess, yes you’re weak, you’re frail and more often than not you’re going to feel the furthest thing from righteous or worthy… but don't worry, there's nothing wrong with you or your salvation just because you feel this way! You're not alone in that struggle and you're certainly not surprising or disappointing God! He had no illusion of you in the first place.

When someone says I feel unworthy, I want to say to them “good!... Because you are. Now thank God for Jesus!”

To be reminded that Christ is with you in the middle of your personal struggle and turmoil, is far more comforting than being told I ought to be, act or feel better than I currently am (like, don't ya think I already know that!)

The Christian life isn't about getting better or stronger each day, but being made ever more aware of our need for Christ and His saving Grace. If we were honest about what it's really like to be a Christian, we'd probably say something along the lines of

“Just when I think I've figured myself out, dealt with my hurt or my failure, God in His Mercy and Love shows me yet another stone that must be uprooted, another reason why I must depend on Him proving why I have absolutely zero hope without Jesus.”

The moment you stop being outraged by your own sin, is the clear sign you've stopped depending on Christ; believing that either, it's now your duty to keep yourself clean, or that you'll never get dirty again… and both are wrong!

I'm in constant need of Him and so are you!

No matter how hard we may try, nor how much we want to be better versions of ourselves, we will inevitably fall short. And then we're left to face the crushing reality that I’m just not good enough… and that's exactly the point!

Does it make sin right? No

Does it mean we strive to sin? No

Should we feel okay and good about sin? No!

But is it inevitable that we will sin? You bet it!

Here's the amazing and freeing truth to all this…

“God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” - Romans 5:8 ~ ESV

Don't shackle yourself with the impossible demands of either religion or hyper spirituality. Christ came to be enough for us and set us free from bondage not move us from one set of chains to another. 

Let's start being real and honest with one another. And let's stop striving like the legalists, and stop pretending like the sensationalists. 

The more I'm reminded of my weakness within, the more I look to the strength only found in Him.