When I first got saved, I was ecstatic and ready to embrace everything that came with salvation. Everything, but those “kumbaya singing corny Christians.”

Keep your distance. *Andy Mineo’s voice* Please. Thanks.

No offense. They were okay, but not cool. Something about them screamed ‘dry, wack, and weird.’ Like who cracks jokes using bible verses? Who rocks gear professing their love for Jesus? They even spoke a language full of idioms called, ‘Christianese.’ Don’t even get me started on when they used irrelevant scriptures as captions to their pictures on Instagram, followed by a sea of hashtags.

I was determined to remain myself as much as possible--me minus the sinful life. And that is exactly where I stumbled. See, the people I did not want to be and was afraid to turn into, was actually exactly what I needed to be.

For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever[a] you want.

Galatians 5:17

And no one pours new wine into old wineskins. Otherwise, the wine will burst the skins, and both the wine and the wineskins will be ruined. No, they pour new wine into new wineskins."

Mark 2:22

Old things have passed away. As in they are no more. They no longer exist.

Why? Because, something new has occupied that place. A living spirit replaces a dead spirit. Who we were and who we are contradict one another. But in efforts to remain who we were, we miss out on becoming who God has called us to be.

It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.

Galatians 5:1

By fighting to keep our old identity, we are walking outside of the path God has planned and paved for us. From our mother’s womb, He knew us--us being freed and us being vessels of honor and glory. Not us being of this world. So that means:

Those worldly friends you’ve been clinging to, may need to be replaced.

That unequally yoked relationship that you are in, may need to end.

The way you dress, may need to be altered to glorify God and cover your holy temple.

In the fight to keep our old identities, we are fighting to keep the yoke and fruit that stemmed from it. The Bible says, “do not conform to the world.” Are you aware that your old identity, your old nature, your old ways were a manifestation of your worldly ways? So that means:

Those worldly friends, your unequally yoked relationship, and the way you dress could have stemmed from battles from within yourself, that have taken root in your life.

When trying to fight change and be resistant, you are actually being rebellious. You are refusing to submit to the plans of the Lord, for your life. When you said ‘yes’ to Jesus, you were saying ‘yes’ to having Him in all aspects of your life.

“Let your yes be yes and your no be no”

God wants to transform your life, and transform you “by the renewal of your mind.” By transforming your mind, He will ultimately transform your actions and behaviors. So let go of the identities that we easily cling to, and embrace the transformation waiting to happen. There is something you have been longing for, found in it: Freedom.

Freedom from the battles and insecurities you’re facing. Freedom to express yourself without feeling like you are becoming any less you. Freedom to become the You of tomorrow without any worries of You of the past.

Can’t wait for the world to meet the real You.