Every time I come in contact with portions of scriptures like this, there are usually a few questions in my heart. How do we become all of these in a world that is constantly wicked, evil, and tries to choke goodness and righteousness out of you? How do I love when some of the people around me are just so unlovable?
One of the beautiful things again I love about God and His Word is that God is not afraid of questions. In fact, we are called to study, question, and probe the text until we receive the truth that is in them. The Berean Christians went through the scriptures to see the things Paul taught them and to know it (Acts 17).
We all have questions. As already stated, our questions are not bad. We can, though, make a mistake in our questioning if we’re not careful. When we have questions, it is vitally important that we go to God first. If not, we find that we grow angry, disheartened, and maybe even disillusioned about God. We give the devil a foothold to sow seeds of doubt.
Go to God and His Word. Ask Him to open your eyes to the truth.
So how do I become what I am? How do I become like Christ in a world that constantly wants to choke Christ out of me?
Our text tells us to PUT IT ON!
Yes! We can’t wish the evil and bad away. What you and I can do instead is to always live in obedience to God’s Word. If His Word says it, then we do it. At first, it might be hard to love, to be patient, or to be kind to unkind people. It might be hard to pray for your government when they have neglected the basic things we need as citizens. It might be hard to be meek or humble when people have sworn to bring you down.
It is hard to do these things. But if we are to become like Jesus, then we must live in obedience to His Word. For it is where we can look at Christ’s example of how to handle these situations and find the strengthening power of the living Word of God.
We must put His Word on daily like we dress up our bodies. We don’t wear a piece of clothing for two days. We change our clothes daily. In our relationship with Christ, we need to also daily choose and propose in our heart like Daniel and the three Hebrew boys to obey God and do what His Word says (Daniel 1; 3).
As I began writing this, the Holy Spirit reminded me of a colleague at work who slandered me in a meeting where everyone was present. It hurt me badly because she was someone I was close to. Today I choose to live at peace with her whether she apologies or not because the Bible has commanded me to.
The more we obey. The more we put on.
The more we put on. The more we become like Jesus.
Our old self dies, and our new self, created in the likeness of Christ, shines brighter and brighter.
So today, when you are faced with evil, give good instead. It will be hard at first. The more you do it, the more you get good at it.
Remember Jesus in these moments. He was insulted and accused of things He did not do, but we see that He loved even still. He chose to do the right thing. He chose to live obediently to God the Father. Even on the cross, when He would could have called for vengeance, He cried out for mercy. So we copy Him until we become like Him.
Shalom, Shalom!
