Apollo Creed and Christianity

 

"I Don't Want to Change. I like Who I am."

A past-his-prime boxer is presented the opportunity to reclaim some of his former glory. Bask in the spotlight one more time. But at what price? Is the spotlight worth the damage that comes with it? Can you  go on living the way that you have always lived and not be forced to change course? 

We know Apollo Creed's decision ultimately led to his death. And yes, we are allowed to mourn fictional characters because when part of a story dies part of our story dies. It is through story that we recognize the deeper working of our own lives. And it is at this point I feel it necessary to dive into the most chilling quote ever to pass through human lips. Sadly its as common as it is chilling. 

"I don't want to change. I like who I am."

Our journey with Christ is a journey of change. The Bible says we were brought from death to life. I can't think of a more drastic change than that. We all get the change from life to death. Thats natural. But the change from death to life is supernatural and comes through an ever growing and evolving relationship with the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. 

Since our journey with Christ is not static it demands that we change from time to time. As we encounter the love that Christ has for us we experience a desire to change our actions, attitudes, thoughts and motives. And it is by partnering with Jesus that we ever see these changes at all. His love makes us unsatisfied with the lifestyle we have now. Its not by guilt but through grace that we long to be conformed to the image of Christ. 

But honestly I can admit that these changes are hard. They are not downloaded from a server into our lives and after a short reboot become live and effective. In fact the lines from the old hymn come to mind, 

Some through the waters, some through the flood

 Some through the fire, but all through the blood;
Some through great sorrow...God leads his dear children along. 

The change is hard and frankly, I don't want to change. I like who I am. Too often I like who I am in my sin more than I like who I could become in God's grace. Too often I like who I am because its what I know. I am comfortable. I can predict what the future will hold because I know and I am in control. 

Grace does not always lend us this viewpoint. Grace and faith are about resting upon the work of another: Jesus.  And I must learn to trust Him and get to the place where I can stand before Him and rest on what He has done for me. Its the what Jesus did, not what Jesus did + my efforts to earn God's approval. I must get to the place where I want to change because I like who Jesus is.