Our Family Resemblance

Everyone has a weakness. It may be a short temper, gossip, inability to handle finance well, lack of compassion toward others, constant worrying, etc. We all grapple with something unpleasant in our lives. One of the biggest problems with that is our ready acceptance of it. I heard someone say recently in regard to their anger, “It’s just the way I am. I was born that way. It runs in my family” What a sad conclusion and unnecessary excuse to avoid getting rid of that unpleasant trait.

It is our arch enemy, Satan, and his demonice forces, that urges us to stay as we are; God’s Words are opposite. The Apostle Paul wrote in I Corinthians 5:17, If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new (NKJV). This has been among my favorite Bible verses from the time I became a Christian at age 14. I was thrilled that the old me with its moodiness and self loathing could be transformed by God into joy and abiding inner peace. The hopelessness I felt even at the young age of 14 was replaced by fresh optimism. I just knew that, with God nothing shall be impossible. (Luke 1:37 KJV).

Exchaning the old for the new is what Jesus died to make possible for us. We are no longer slaves to sin, but set free to walk in God’s perfect ways that lead to courage and wisdom, peace and quiet joy no matter life’s difficulties that come to us all. When we choose to accept our weaknesses as, “that’s just the way I am,” then immediate repentance is needed, because Jesus did not die so you could live “just the way you are.” He saved you to be free of sin’s ugly grip that you may be molded anew by the Holy Spirit’s influence, causing you to take on the family resemblace of Jesus.

I have had people tell me over the years that I look like my father. Others say I look like my mother. Both are compliments to me. The most joyful comment is someone saying they see Jesus in me. Doesn’t that thrill you, too? There is no earthly delight to equal the spiritual ecstasy of taking on the family resemblance of the love, compassion, and joy found in Jesus alone.

Therefore, the next time you face something unlovely in your life, refuse to accept it as, “just the way I am.” Instead, take that exciting, joyful leap of faith in knowing that Jesus can make you better and sweeter, more loving, overflowing in joy and maintaining inner peace, no matter your natural instincts to be otherwise. Eyes on Jesus. Focus. You become that upon which you dwell as you surrender your life, daily, to the working of the Holy Spirit in you. There is no joy on earth to satisfy like Jesus.