 An Integrated Life"
Simply let your 'Yes' be 'Yes,' and your 'No,' 'No'; anything beyond this comes from the evil one."
Are you living a life of integrity? Meaning a life that integrates all of your parts into who you are. That may sound strange. Of course you are who you are. But wait a minute. Since the fall, who you are has been stained by sin. Sin manifests itself as selfishness...literally 'turned in on self.' When we're turned in on self lots of strange things happen. We start to separate our lives into categories. Things I'd never say here or stuff I wouldn't be caught dead doing there. Notice these aren't things I'd never say or do only things I'd never say or do in certain settings. After all, what would people think if... If the sin in your life has you convinced that there are certain things you will never share with anyone about what you've done...or maybe continue to do...then you're not living an integrated life. You're not being honest about who you really are if you can't confess your sins without excuse, explanation or justification. You are both sinner and saint. Paul says this, 'I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do. And if I do what I do not want to do, I agree that the law is good. As it is, it is no longer I myself who do it, but it is sin living in me.' (Romans 7:15-17) What Paul is saying is that there is a sinful nature within me that drives me to do things I really don't want to do. He doesn't claim this isn't part of who he is, he doesn't blame his upbringing, or the government or a box of twinkies. Instead he says this, 'So I find this law at work: When I want to do good, evil is right there with me. For in my inner being I delight in God's law.' (Romans 7:21-22) In recognizing his fallen nature he is compelled to go to God where he finds mercy and grace. If you're running from the sinner you are and presenting only your 'good side' you're avoiding the conviction of the law God has sent in order to drive us into his loving arms. Equivocation, excuses and evading who we really are denies God the opportunity to heal, restore and redeem us to live an integrated life in the light of his grace. You cannot be a saint without first embracing the truth that you are a sinner.
Prayer |
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