If I Am New

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Adjectives that describe me very accurately:

1. Immature.
2. Selfish.
3. Hypocritical.
4. Proud.
5. Judgmental.
6. Unforgiving.

Verses that are convicting me:

• “Judge not, that you be not judged. For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you. Why do you see the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye?” (Matt. 7:1-3)
• “Why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do what I tell you? Everyone who comes to me and hears my words and does them, I will show you what he is like: he is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid the foundation on the rock. And when a flood arose, the stream broke against that house and could not shake it, because it had been well built. But the one who hears and does not do them is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. When the stream broke against it, immediately it fell, and the ruin of that house was great.” (Luke 6:46-49)
• “Do not speak evil against one another, brothers. The one who speaks against a brother or judges his brother, speaks evil against the law and judges the law. But if you judge the law, you are not a doer of the law but a judge. There is only one lawgiver and judge, he who is able to save and to destroy. But who are you to judge your neighbor?” (James 4:11-12)
• “Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice.” (Eph. 4:31)

And especially this one:

Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God. Therefore put away all filthiness and rampant wickedness and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.

But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like. But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing.

If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person’s religion is worthless.

(James 1:19-26)

In view of my (specific, besetting) sin issues, I have only one option: repentance. If I am saved, I can’t continue in this kind of sin. James makes that clear. If I don’t learn to bridle my tongue, I’m deceiving myself and am a stranger to God.

If I judge others harshly, I will be judged with the same measure.

If I hear Jesus’ words but don’t obey them, I will be ruined.

If I am a new creation, I will daily die to myself and put off my old sinful nature.

I’m not saying that I should resort to works righteousness… but to righteous works in response to God’s free gift of grace in Christ Jesus.

When I realized what His death on the cross meant for me, as I was lost in my sins, I was so glad. I believe I have received that gift in my heart, and cling to the cross by faith. But I remain in a mire of immaturity that does not honor God and does not assure me of my salvation.

So I say to myself: put away filthiness… put away wickedness… and receive the word with meekness. Hear it. Do it. Bridle your tongue. Serve. Cling to Him for grace to obey.