The Challenge To Be An Authentic Follower Of God

There have been times in my life when my stated values didn’t line up with my life choices.

Sometimes the differences can seem subtle, inconsequential. For me, the first example

that comes to mind is throwing out something recyclable, even though I am convinced it

hurts the world we live in, I will sometimes brush off my actions thinking “its just this one

time”. Can anyone relate to doing something like that? Has anyone ever pondered how our

behavior might have affected others seeing us at times like that?

Sometimes our choices are just a temporary lapse into temptation, one that may be hard

personally to resist, like agreeing with people just to be accepted. The shorter the time we

remain off track, the easier it is to repent and allow God to lead us back to where he would

have us be. Unfortunately, the longer we follow that path the harder it can be to repent. It

can be even harder for us when we deny that we are living inauthentically, lying to our Lord,

ourselves, and the world around us. With mood disorders, the idea of being wrong about

something can spiral us into shame cycles, which can make it even harder to stop. Would

anyone like to share a time they struggled with repentance?

Sometimes, a change in perspective comes from a healthy place, from the Holy Spirit

convicting us, teaching us that we’d been thinking of God’s word from a place of simplicity,

rather than study. However, a new conviction can be hard to put into action in our lives.

Romans 7:14-20 speaks about the struggle of knowing what to do but feeling unable to do

it. Has anyone experienced that kind of shift of perspective and the struggle to have our

behavior align with it?

Whatever the situation, Romans 12:1-2, reminds us that worshiping God is a spiritual

growth calling, to continually measure our experiences in the world against the teachings

of our Father. This is not a call of impatience, a demand for instant perfection, but a calling

to be humble, to renew our minds and remember God’s way is the best way for our lives, in

every circumstance.

“Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a

living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not

conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then

you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.”

Let’s take comfort in the truth, that as we live our lives, God’s mercy is always there, his

word and presence encouraging and guiding us. His faithfulness will always echo in our

hearts through his Spirit, whispering that we are his children, he our loving father, Christ is

our Lord, and all hope is in him.

Great is Thy Faithfulness

Great is thy faithfulness, O God, my Father;

There is no shadow of turning with thee.

Thou changest not, thy compassions, they fail not;

As thou hast been, thou forever wilt be.

Chorus:

Great is thy faithfulness,

Great is thy faithfulness,

Morning by morning new mercies I see.

All I have needed thy hand hast provided;

Great is thy faithfulness,

Lord unto me.

Summer and winter and springtime and harvest,

Sun, moon, and stars in their courses above

Join with all nature in manifold witness

To thy great faithfulness, mercy, and love. [Chorus]

Chorus

Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth,

Thine own dear presence to cheer and to guide;

Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow,

Blessings all mine and ten thousand beside. [Chorus]