Just as I Am, But Called to More

Have you ever wondered why we strive to be what God wants, when He accepts us just as we are? It’s a question that Larry, a colorful character I know, often grapples with. Larry has a past filled with ups and downs—he’s a recovering drug addict, has served in the Marines, and now he’s a dedicated pacifist. His journey to faith was inspired by the hymns “Just as I Am” and “Amazing Grace,” which made him realize that God loves him exactly as he is. However, Larry admits that he’s not living the “victorious Christian life” he hears about. He struggles with overeating, chain-smoking, and doesn’t quite make it to church regularly.

Larry describes his faith journey as being stuck between “Just as I am” and “Just as God wants me to be.” This tension can be confusing. If God’s grace is so amazing, why do we need to change? This question often echoes in our minds: why strive for holiness if we know God accepts us where we are?

This reminds me of a summer I spent learning German. While my friends were out enjoying life, I was stuck inside, studying endlessly for a degree requirement. It felt like torture. If I’d known I’d pass no matter what, would I have bothered? Probably not. This is the dilemma that Paul tackles in Romans. He asks, “Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase?” His answer is a resounding, “By no means!” or “God forbid!” The message is clear: grace isn’t an excuse to slack off. Paul uses several illustrations to make this point, helping us understand why striving to live as God wants is essential.

Think about it: if God’s grace is guaranteed, does that remove our motivation to be good? Just like my German classes, if we’re assured a passing grade, what’s the incentive? Paul dives into this in Romans, and it’s a question that resonates with all of us. If we know we’re forgiven, why not just do what we want? But here’s the catch—grace isn’t a free pass to live however we please. Paul uses four powerful illustrations to show why.

First, he talks about how we’ve died to sin and are alive in Christ. Imagine two dogs: one vibrant and playful, the other lifeless on the side of the road. Which one is more appealing? Obviously, the living, joyful one! Paul is saying that sin has the stench of death, so why choose that when we can live in Christ’s light? He urges us to “count ourselves dead to sin but alive to God.” Essentially, he’s telling us to act in line with our true selves in Christ. Yes, sin can seem tempting, but it’s ultimately a path to emptiness.

Next, Paul uses the analogy of slavery. Before Christ, we were slaves to sin, but now we’re free and should choose to serve righteousness. It’s like switching masters—we’ve gone from being bound by sin to being bound by God’s grace. And this new master, righteousness, leads us to life, not death. This analogy emphasizes personal choice and the relationship aspect of our faith. It’s not about following rules out of fear but living in the freedom that comes from choosing God.

Paul’s third illustration gets a bit more complex, likening our relationship with the law to a marriage. Before knowing Christ, we were “married” to the law, stuck in a cycle of trying and failing. But through Christ, we’ve died to the law, freeing us to embrace a new, vibrant relationship with Him. Think of it this way: if you’re in love, you don’t need a list of rules to motivate you to learn your partner’s language or culture—you do it because of your love for them. In the same way, our relationship with God should be motivated by love, not obligation.

The final illustration is deeply personal—Paul shares his own struggles with sin. He admits that despite his desire to do good, he often falls short. This raw honesty resonates with anyone who has faced addiction or personal failure. Paul’s struggle emphasizes that we can’t overcome sin on our own; we need the Spirit’s help. It’s a reminder that even though we may not fully conquer sin in this life, we can live in the hope of God’s ultimate victory.

So, why strive to be as God wants? It’s not just about avoiding consequences or fulfilling obligations. It’s about embracing a relationship with God that transforms us from the inside out. This love-driven relationship motivates us to be good, not because we have to, but because we want to. Grace is the foundation of our faith, but it’s also the fuel that propels us toward holiness.

Paul’s message in Romans is a powerful reminder that grace isn’t an excuse to exploit but an invitation to explore the depths of God’s love. We’re called to a life that reflects that love, both personally and in our communities. Let’s strive to live out our faith, knowing that God’s grace covers our past and empowers our future.

Philip Yancey

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