“For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. For one will scarcely die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die— but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God. For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life. More than that, we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.” (Romans 5:6-11 ESV)
“He made Him who knew no sin to be sin in our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.” (2 Corinthians 5:21 NASB)
“Then God said, “Let us make human beings in our image, to be like us. They will reign over the fish in the sea, the birds in the sky, the livestock, all the wild animals on the earth, and the small animals that scurry along the ground.” (Genesis 1:26 NLT)
The current highly outspoken message that being loved and accepted by God, the Almighty Creator of all that exists, means that He created me exactly as I currently am thereby making everything about me acceptable and pleasing to him, is a lie from the one who hates my very existence (Satan – the devil).I will never be free to become who I truly am until I see this lie clearly and reject it.
In my opinion, the idea that anyone recognizing in me an area in need of growth or improvement, and desiring to help me change, is “hating” me is ridiculous. Convincing me that expecting growth and improvement in another person is being a “hater” may be damaging my relationships more than “hate” itself. Turning anything other than blind tolerance into a form of hateful rejection is crippling all of us.
In my opinion, the idea that anyone recognizing in me an area in need of growth or improvement, and desiring to help me change, is “hating” me is rediculous. Convincing me that expecting growth and improvement in another person is being a “hater” may be damaging my relationships more than “hate” itself.Turning anything other than blind tolerance into a form of hateful rejection is crippling all of us.
True love accepts what is acceptable, approves what is approveable, and tolerates what is rightly tolerable, while from a place of compassion rejecting all that is truly rejectable. Love does not turn a blind eye just to remain politically acceptable and avoid being misunderstood.
Love only wins when it leads to winning results. I was created in the image and likeness of God. Knowing that brings me a deep acceptance of myself along with a drive to grow, change, and improve so that who I am is what I become..
Eric’s Life Lesson # 518: Becoming Who I Am