BECOMING WHO YOU WERE CREATED TO BE - PART 3
To be who we were created to be is to become like Jesus. This doesn’t mean to simply do what Jesus did, to think what He thought, to go where He goes. This means a total transformation from who we are now into the likeness of who He is. This comes down to two basic attributes. The first of these is that Jesus had a pure heart. He was without sin.
Last week we looked at the word “hamartia” which is one of the words used throughout the New Testament for “sin.” If you remember, it is an archery term and literally means “to miss the mark.” With “hamartia” the archer is doing his/her best to hit the bullseye, but they are human so they miss. It might be by a couple of millimeters, or they might miss the whole target. Whatever the outcome, they were trying their best, but failed.
John tells us that all of us are guilty of this every day (1 John 1:8). But, if we are willing to confess (admit we are spiritually bankrupt), God will forgive our sins and “purify us from all unrighteousness” (1:9). In other words, confession enables us to allow God to merge with our spirit and cleanse (continued action with a definite starting point) our spirit from the effects of the sin. This does not mean that we are suddenly perfect and will always hit the mark. But it does mean that we are pure in heart and God is transforming our lives from the inside out.
The second word that is used for sin is “hamartano.” While hamartia is a noun, hamartano is a verb. It is an action and it implies choice. How do we explain this? Let’s go back to our archer. They are in the same field with the same bow and arrow looking at the same target. As they raise the bow and arrow and take sight at the target, they decide that they are not going to hit the bullseye. They know that they are supposed to hit the bullseye, but they just don’t want to. Once again, they might only miss by a couple of millimeters or they might turn and shoot in the opposite direction of the target. As with “hamartia,” it doesn’t matter how much they miss by, it matters that they chose to miss. People may even console them or praise them for how close they came and encourage them that they will hit it in the future. But, in their hearts, they know they will continue to miss because they have chosen to miss. While confession (admitting we are spiritually poor and allowing God to merge with us and change us) leads us to be forgiven and cleansed, our hamartano sin requires more for forgiveness.
John tells us that, his purpose in writing his letter was that “you may not sin (hamartano)” (2:1). In other words, John is proclaiming that when we choose to partner with God and allow Him to work in our lives, it is possible to continually choose to live in obedience to God. To continually respond to God with “Yes” whenever He reveals His will to us.
He goes on to say, “And if (not when) anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous” (2:1). In other words, it is possible for us to live in continual obedience to God, but IF we don’t, then Jesus is ready to speak on our behalf.
I can hear you now, “That’s all good, but how do we get forgiveness for this sin?” I am glad you asked, because John goes on to tell us that Jesus is also the “propitiation for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the whole world” (2:2). Propitiation is a big word and not used very often (if ever) in our present vocabulary. So it is very easy to miss out on what John is trying to tell us.
Picture with me, two kings with two kingdoms. These kings are best of friends and they share with each other, protect each other, work together, and their kingdoms flourish because of it. However, something happens. Maybe one king hurts the other, or there is a misunderstanding, or an insult. One thing leads to another, and another, and another… Until the two kings and their kingdoms are at war and trying to annihilate each other.
In the midst of this, one of the kings realizes that things were so much better when the two kingdoms were at peace and the two kings were friends. So they put together a gift (usually consisting of several carts filled with gold, jewels, food, clothes, and other delicacies) which they send to the other king with a message that says, “I don’t want to fight anymore. I want to be friends. Please accept this gift, and in accepting this gift, restore our relationship.”
That gift to restore the relationship is called the “propitiation gift.” In other words, Jesus, was God’s gift to us. Sent with God’s message, “I don’t want to fight any more. Please accept my gift. And, in accepting my gift, let our relationship be restored.” And hanging on a cross, shedding his blood, giving up his life, Jesus became that gift by literally sucking our sin into himself and becoming our sin in order to offer us forgiveness of sin and the opportunity to “become the righteousness of God” (2 Corinthians 5:21). And all we have to do is respond to God’s message by receiving His gift (Jesus) and allowing our relationship to be restored. He will do the rest and will give us a pure heart. Just like Jesus.
So how about it? Have you chosen to receive God’s gift? Have you allowed yourself to be forgiven? The question is not “will God forgive you?”. He already has. The question is “will you receive that forgiveness? Will you receive the new life? Will you let God make you just like Jesus, having a pure heart?” The choice is yours.
Join me next week as we dive into the second characteristic of being like Jesus in order to be who we were created to be.
- Pastor Tim Gerdes
