The Truth is the Light
By Rev. Dr. Charles R. Watkins, Jr., Senior Columnist
Second Corinthians 5:17 says, “So if anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation: everything old has passed away; see, everything has become new!” Reflection can be helpful. If God issued a list of the character traits and habits He desired to correct in us, what is it He would most likely want to remove from us?
I think we can agree that the list God issues for us is not one we would want to share with everyone. We each harbor, deep inside of us, the suppressed sins of a Christian trying hard to live right. We should not be surprised that we each have a list of character traits and habits that are not only undesirable but some are downright embarrassing!
Just because we are Christians does not mean that we are perfect. We are striving to press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling in Christ Jesus. However, we cannot deny the fact that we get frustrated and angry and are sometimes impatient and intolerant. We also truthfully admit we are, at times, a bit selfish and self-seeking.
The good news is that there is something we can do about it! We can pray to keep ourselves pure and undefiled. We can stay connected to our Savior as we strive to ensure our reflection reveals an image looking more like Him than us.
We can resolve that regardless of how meager our means or weary our strength, we will do whatever gives God the most glory. We can purpose ourselves to live and serve for His profit and pleasure, without any consideration of our own.
God has been so good to us that we should not hesitate to offer ourselves as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable unto Him. Why? It is a reasonable expectation from He who gave His only begotten Son as a ransom for our soul. We should strive to live for the Lord, with all our might, and let Him use us for whatever He thinks our duty should be for the greater good of humanity and the building up of His kingdom on Earth.
God wishes to break the yoke of sin from around our neck and reshape us into the perfect servant. Unlike when we apply for work or acceptance anywhere else, there are no disqualifications. We are asked to come as we are, with a repentant heart, and place our all on the altar of sacrifice. Our challenge is to allow the Lord to occupy first place in our hearts and service.
Undoubtedly, some think that allowing the Lord to occupy first place in our heart and service is difficult if not impossible. Some folks are afraid of falling short and messing up. God looks not on the exterior but the interior. He is not concerned with the matter of the brain but with matters of the heart. He knows that we will fall short but He also sees our sincere and good intentions. He can see when we are striving to bring our mind and body under subjection to His spirit within us. As long as we maintain a repentant spirit and keep striving for perfection, God is merciful to forgive our imperfections.
The Rev. Dr. Charles R. Watkins, Jr., is the pastor of Pine Grove AME Church in Columbia, South Carolina.
