The world entices all to “Do you”. Without a foundation in Christ, people eat this up like greasy fries.
In their own strength and mind, the “Do you-ers” become empowered to identify themselves in a myriad of ways. Some choose to be Transgender, Unstoppable CFO’s, or some rest their identity in I am Sexually Attractive. Alternatively, “Do you” can be the unworthy’s worst enemy. If I am ashamed of who I am, I don’t want to be me.
The devil seeks to kill and destroy everyone (John 10:10). Unfortunately, no one is immune to his lies, his schemes, his breath of spiritual death. From the beginning, our enemy used pride and shame to wield wedges between us and God.
Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
James 4:7
You and I are “new you's” in Him. When you received Christ, you were immediately justified, made right with our holy God. A new, eternal identity given by His grace. Then, you step into the family of God after having been a prodigal, an atheist, a worshiper of idols. Instantly, as if it cannot be true because of how unworthy you are next to Our Savior and King, you are cleansed and cherished. There is no room for “do you” when this amazing heavenly gift is given…and received.
Paul is speaking to us now, just as he was speaking to those in Ephesus:
“assuming that you have heard about Him and were taught in Him, as the truth is in Jesus, to put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness” (Ephesians 4:21-24 NIV).
We are ever-new, increasing in the likeness of He who made us. “Do you” is dangerous in its implications, grossly offending our Jesus who laid down His life for us. In Him, through Him, with Him, and unto Him, we are His handiwork. We are here to let others know of this new life. We are here on earth to share the Good News that our Jesus was nailed to a Cross. In doing so, He broke the power of sin, crushed old habits, addictions, fears, effects of trauma and abuse.
It is finished (John 19:30 NIV).
Three days later, when Jesus rose, time took on a new dimension for those who follow Him here. We put off the old self and become new, now and forever!
Who among us needs to know the arms of God are wide open, welcoming each to abundant life?
Whom can you come alongside as you both exemplify and teach our Risen Christ?
We who are Christ’s ambassadors in this broken world have many opportunities to proclaim His power. Haven’t we all been led into His transformative kingdom where the old passes away and the new has come?
In my journey with Christ, I am in awe of how He has brought me through unbelief, addiction, perfectionism, unforgiveness, and shame. I cannot help but testify. We who testify His power by His blood are free…free to be who He made us to be, which all boils down to being His hands, feet, and voice in the wilderness. Hallelujah!
Because I won’t be completely new until He takes me home, I still struggle on occasion with wanting control, with fear of the unknown, with a lack of salty grace in my words.
There is not one among us who hasn’t sinned. The only perfect One is Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. He lived sinless on this earth. We, in His power, are able to sin less.
However, standing on His truth, we shall not ever give up on the possibility of renewed thoughts, actions, and hearts. It is His will in His Word that we become new, “as the truth is in Jesus” (Ephesians 4:21).
Jesus says, “lay down you…be held, be healed, be resurrected in Me.”
You who were given a ministry, you are held to greater accountability of the latter in His Kingdom (James 3:1).
Be whole in Him~
Be humble to allow Him to continually teach and prune you~
Be bold and unashamed of your Jesus as you, new, sets the example for others~
Seek Him. Pray and believe He can use you to lead someone off the path of “do you” and onto the narrow road of life ever-anew.
Let us pray:
Oh Father,
How we cannot believe You chose us! How Your love has made us new is a complete and utter mystery. Just when we thought we couldn’t get over what someone did to us, You softened our hearts. Just when the lies of the devil choked the air out of our lungs, You breathed on us, as You breathed on Adam at the beginning. Help us to trust that You can take anyone no matter how broken and make them new. Show us Your children who need a teacher, a comforter, a friend. Strengthen us as Your warriors who care not for our own comfort but more for the salvation of others. We thank You, Father, for making the sacrifice in Your family and sending Your Son Jesus to pay the price for all our sin. Thank You, Father, for loving us so much that You made the Way for us to come directly to You with our every need, big and small. For without Your crucifixion and resurrection, Jesus, we would not know this new life. All praise and honor and glory to the Lamb who was slain! Hallelujah to the Lion of Judah who has overcome the world!
Julie Dibble is a servant of her Lord Jesus Christ. Together with her husband Jason, they have two sons, Braedon 17 and Jackson 15, and one rescued pup named Rocko. Julie preaches, writes, hikes, and prays for God to use her daily in this broken world. Currently, she is on staff at Newberrytown Church of God as Director of Outreach and Evangelism.