All too often, we disappoint ourselves. We aren’t what we want to be, nor are we what we thought we would be after we trusted Christ, and we definitely see ourselves as falling far short of what we should be.
Admittedly, that’s a rather depressing opener for a Bible Bite. If things are that bad, should we just call it quits? After all, things usually go from bad to worse. But just wait: is that the typical Christian experience – from bad to worse? A resounding no!
If you’re fed up with yourself as a failing Christian, you need to know that your lapses and failures will come to an end. There is a better you ahead. There are three phases of a Christian’s life: what we were, what we are and what we shall be.
Never forget what we once were before Christ entered our lives. Nor should we be under any illusions about what we are presently. But what about our future? Here’s the great news:
See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. The reason why the world does not know us is that it did not know Him. Beloved, we are God’s children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when He appears we shall be like Him, because we shall see Him as He is. And everyone who thus hopes in Him purifies himself as He is pure. 1John 3:1-3
If you are genuinely saved, your life has changed. No change – no life. You can’t have the Spirit of God living inside you without anything changing. If your desires are no different than they were before, you better go back to the drawing board. A genuine believer has desires and impulses they never had in their unconverted days. “Lord, I love You so much. Thanks for shedding Your precious blood for my sins. I want to live for You and do things that please You.” That’s the change. That’s one reality.
The other reality is – as much as we would like to please Him, sometimes we don’t. There’s a dark energy inside us that wants to please ourselves. We know we should not do it, but we end up giving in to that inner urge. We know we shouldn’t have talked that way, but in the heat of the moment, we did. We know we should have quickly turned our eyes away from it, but something inside prompted us to look longer. We know we should have said “No!” but in our desire to fit in, we said: “Yes!”
Why do we have conflicting feelings inside – one impulse yanking us in the wrong direction and another voice encouraging us to do what is right? The Bible identifies the conflict as the struggle between our wicked, sinful ‘flesh’ and the permanently indwelling Holy Spirit inside every true Christian. (Galatians 5:16-26; Romans 7:14-25; Romans 8)
Dear child of God, a clearer focus on our future with Christ and what we shall be will help us to live for Him now.
Dear friends, we are God’s children now, and what we will be has not yet been revealed. We know that when He appears, we will be like Him because we will see Him as He is.” 1 John 3:2 CSB
When you sin, quickly confess it to the Lord. Spend time alone with God thinking about the sinlessness of Christ. Think of the examples of His Holy life throughout the four Gospels. The process of studying and enjoying Christ now actually makes us more Christ-like in our thinking and behaviour each day.
But in the future, the moment we see Him and are with Him, an instant change will take place. We will immediately become morally like Him. No more conflict inside. No more tugging towards sin. Never another thought to be squashed in our minds. The days of sinning and suffering from guilt and shame will be over forever. We will never disappoint our Lord again. Every single thing we do will be pleasing to Him. What a day that will be! A better me is definitely ahead.
“Lord, help me make it through today with this happy hope before me. Preserve me today from disappointing and grieving You. I am looking forward to that first glimpse of the One who died for me. Then I will be fully changed to bring You uninterrupted pleasure forever.”
Don’t hesitate to share a thought from your personal experience in the comment section below. Or, if you would like to reach out privately, click below.
