10.13.04

Role Model

Posted in Faith and Practice at 11:56 am by Jeff

Months ago, a friend at church had been persistently telling me what a “good role model” I was. He lamented that his upbringing fell short in training him to be a godly person. Feeling more like a “chief of sinners” than a role model, I needed to respond. I had forgotten my response, but when my friend e-mailed me back today (months later), he included my original e-mail text.

I am a wicked, evil, depraved sinner (in my flesh). My parents raising me a certain way was a good influence, but God knew me before I was born and formed me in the womb and chose me to be his child through no good of my own. (See II Thess. 2:13-14, Eph. 2:8-9, Romans 9:10-24).

So we owe it all to God and not because of anything in ourselves or our parents or even our circumstances (except for the fact that God ordained our circumstances to mold our hearts to prepare them to receive him). “I know that in me, that is in my flesh, nothing good can dwell” (Rom. 7:18).

I just want to be more like Christ every day. That is the desire of my heart, but my flesh (sinful nature, human effort) cannot accomplish this for me. All I can do is lay down my life, my heart, my soul, and ask “God, make me more like your Son today.” Will you join me in making that your daily, moment by moment prayer?

I wrote this months ago, but I needed this reminder. Perhaps you do too.

Permalink