Idioms like “It’s just my nature,” “It’s who I am,” or “It’s ingrained in me” can be used by people to justify an action or behavior. Hearing phrases like these might lead one to think the person saying them has no control over an action, as it is not a conscious choice. But, for believers, is this true?
In our passage today, the Apostle Paul reminds us of our past, present, and future state of being. Apart from Christ, and because of sin, human beings were left spiritually dead, sinfully disobedient, and separated from our Creator. This is everyone’s past because it is how we start life. In this state of being, we do what we like and live for our pleasure because our nature is flesh-driven. So, “It’s just my nature” is an accurate statement. But we do not have to stay there, because Jesus came to redeem our past and welcome us back to God. The choice to accept Christ is before every human being.
Believers in God’s intervening love and Christ’s work on the cross, are gifted a new life and given a new nature. God, the Great I Am, welcomes us on a spiritual journey called eternal life, where we are made ALIVE. By the Spirit and through His Word, God speaks to us as His sons or daughters. We have a brand new identity; the past is dead. So, the idiom, “It’s who I am,” is accurate if you are talking about being God’s child. We are learning to live with Christ as Lord as he leads us away from our sinful and selfish past into the righteous riches of eternal life.
Lastly, as we follow Christ, we take on His nature because His Word/Commands are written on our hearts, so the idiom “It’s ingrained in me” is the future state of spiritual life with God. The roots of Christ’s love grow deep within us, and His holy characteristics become a permanent part of our souls. God has promised to make us fully alive and mature in Christ. Thank you, Lord!
Ephesians 2:1-7 NLT Made Alive with Christ
2 Once you were dead because of your disobedience and your many sins. 2 You used to live in sin, just like the rest of the world, obeying the devil—the commander of the powers in the unseen world.[a] He is the spirit at work in the hearts of those who refuse to obey God. 3 All of us used to live that way, following the passionate desires and inclinations of our sinful nature. By our very nature, we were subject to God’s anger, just like everyone else.
4 But God is so rich in mercy, and he loved us so much, 5 that even though we were dead because of our sins, he gave us life when he raised Christ from the dead. (It is only by God’s grace that you have been saved!) 6 For he raised us from the dead along with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ Jesus. 7 So God can point to us in all future ages as examples of the incredible wealth of his grace and kindness toward us, as shown in all he has done for us who are united with Christ Jesus.
Prayer: Lord, thank you for raising us from spiritual death in the past into eternal life in the present. Thank you for making us more like Jesus each day by helping us obey your Word. Our future is secure and fulfilled in You. In Jesus’ name. Amen.