Friday, April 11, 2014

DEFINING YOUR LIFE

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new (2 Corinthians 5:17).
  Satan always defines your life based on your past; God defines you by your future. "You're never going to change!" "You always do that!" Perhaps you've heard such words. Words can define us if we let them. Failure can be a warning sign that motivates change or it sends us into self-sabotage and shame. The cross paid the price for that. Have you accepted the payment on your behalf? When you allow others to define who you are that is contrary to who God says who you are, you've made them an idol in your life. You've allowed a spirit of rejection and shame and performance to define you. When we come to know Christ our spirit is 100% redeemed. However, our soul requires regeneration. This is a long-term process. The Bible calls it sanctification. "Now may the God of peace who brought up our Lord Jesus from the dead, that great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, make you complete in every good work to do His will, working in you what is well pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen" (Hebrews 13:20-21). It is God's responsibility to guide our maturity process as we yield ourselves to Him. The next time someone tries to define you based on your past, remind them you are a new creation "in process." No one is righteous enough to judge another. Only Jesus made plan "A" in His life. God redeems our "B" and "C" plans to be His "A" plan. Accept God's process in yourself and in others. Judge not lest you be judged.

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