You Do You

Thoughts from daily Bible reading for today – September 19, 2018

For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body ruled by sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin—because anyone who has died has been set free from sin. Romans 6:6-7

A popular phrase in today’s culture is “you do you”, meaning you do what you want to do and I’ll do what I want to do, and we will not judge each other. Sounds fair minded on the surface, but shallow, insufficient and harmful for followers of Jesus. In Christ, we do what God made us to do by being who God made us to be—our old self has been put to death by belief in Christ’s death on the cross for our sins, so we can be set free from the slavery to sin. When we do what God made us to do, we follow the path of humility, holiness, selfless service and generous living.

Paul describes slavery to sin as an earthly and eternal bondage to those who seek to be self reliant and self sufficient—an inferior identity that shuns the freedom of a fulfilling identity in Christ. But in Christ, and by God’s grace we acknowledge and accept our death to our old sin ridden self, we surrender to our Savior King Jesus, our new ruler who reigns now and forever. Sin’s slavery is the worst imprisonment, for it is a capital punishment for our soul, eventually shackled to torment in hell. When I do what God wants me to do, I am the best version of me.

“But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light” (1 Peter 2:9).

Are you conflicted over being who someone else wants you to be, versus being who God desires you to be? Futility and frustration are the bad fruit of attempting to fulfill another’s demanding expectations of you. You may meet one of their milestones, then they raise the bar to a higher level. Thankfully, fulfillment and joy are the good fruit of resting in the Lord’s expectations for your life. What does Christ require of you? Waiting and resting may be the remedy the Spirit has for you in contrast to the flesh’s propensity to strive out of fear. God’s will is not forced, but flows out of His desire for you and others to grow more like Jesus. Exchange urgency for trust.

A sense of urgency can easily become the enemy to God’s best. Pause, and reflect on what it means to rest in the Lord after you have done your best. Another person’s past mistakes are not meant to be a burden you have to bear. Forgiveness, yes you forgive. Prayer, yes you pray for them. You be you in the power of the Holy Spirit and trust another to be who they are in Christ. We support each other most when we help each other become the best version of who God wants us to be. You do you, by doing what God wants you to do and life will become bigger and better!

“One thing have I asked of the Lord, that will I seek, inquire for, and [insistently] require: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord [in His presence] all the days of my life, to behold and gaze upon the beauty [the sweet attractiveness and the delightful loveliness] of the Lord and to meditate, consider, and inquire in His temple” (Psalm 27:4, AMPC).

Prayer

Heavenly Father, thank You that in the Holy Spirit’s power, I can do what You want me to do, in Jesus’ name, amen.

Application

What one expectation of someone else do I need to stop doing and replace with one thing the Lord wants me to do?

Related Reading

Psalm 62:11, 107:43; Isaiah 66:2; Acts 26:18; Titus 2:14

Post/Tweet today

We support each other most when we help each other become the best version of who God wants us to be. #WisdomHunters #youdoyou

Worship Resource

6 minutes – Colton Dixon: 

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