We all encounter uncomfortable truths in our life. Some we can do little about on our own. Others are personal and we bear the full responsibility for them. As followers of Jesus, one of those uncomfortable truths is we’re not as much like Jesus as we’d like to be because we don’t want to be.
We choose whether we will follow God’s ways or our own. It’s easier for us to blame the devil or the culture for the way we live. But the uncomfortable truth is we are as close to God as we want to be. Our lives look like that of Jesus only as much as we choose to align ourselves with Him.
Every day we make decisions that result in us looking like Jesus or everyone else around us. We make those choices, no one else. Of course, it isn’t pleasant to think in those terms, so we rationalize our choices by blaming our parents, our circumstances, our genetic disposition, or science. These are excuses to keep us from facing one of life’s uncomfortable truths: we are the person we choose to be. God created a perfect world with perfect order, and humans have been hellbent on destroying it ever since. The arguments and issues change over the years, but the core remains the same. We choose God or we choose to be god.
In the Psalms, David often implored the Lord to teach him the ways of God so he would walk in them (Psalm 86:11; Psalm 25:4-5). David longed to know and obey the Word of God because he knew that was where he would find true life. Today, too many know the Word of God but do not obey. The Lord gives clear commands we gloss over because adhering to them would be too counter cultural, too socially costly, and require too much sacrifice. These are uncomfortable truths we allow to exist in our lives.
We are in great peril when the Word of God becomes subject to the ideas of man. When the world at large is rebelling against the teaching and morality of the Bible, you are not obligated to join in. You are responsible for your life, and as a follower of Jesus, that means you are responsible to live in a way that looks like Jesus. The way you think, speak, and act should all scream “JESUS!” to those around you. If it doesn’t, you must confront that uncomfortable truth in your life.
If a non-existent prayer life discourages you, guess whose fault that is? Should you desire to memorize more Scripture, guess who can make that happen? And if you want to be courageous, bold, and devoted to Jesus, that decision is in your hands. Plead with God to show you His ways and to help you walk in them. Implore the Lord to give you a love for holiness and His Word, and then turn away from the selfishness of your life.
This is why we came to Jesus in the first place. We swore to give Him everything, to surrender all to His Lordship. If we are no longer surrendered, that is an uncomfortable truth that we must deal with. Renew your commitment to Him. Resolve to follow His ways and not the ways of the world, no matter what it may cost you. Jesus is worth more than any earthly comforts or fame. Jesus is worth your life. Give it all to Him today.