It’s not uncommon for people to excuse their sins and immaturity by claiming “this is just who I am.” They have resigned themselves to this “fact” and are prepared to leave the matter right there. But a Christian can’t be allowed to plead that he is what he is and that nothing can be done about it. It’s difficult to change because it means doing something new, usually something that hasn’t been done before. It means replacing old bad habits with new good habits. This can be viewed as threatening or trilling, depending on your attitude. As Christians, we’re called to a life of newness and adventure. Christ is the “Author and Finisher” of our faith, and we are God’s “workmanship, created in Christ Jesus” and, therefore, we must trust Him for the future. We sin when we allow ourselves to become static and sedentary, fearing positive biblical change while clinging to the broken past. When we resist sanctifying change we’re also resisting and grieving the Holy Spirit. Growth means change, and we must change if we’re to become more like Christ.
The Westminster Shorter Catechism Question 35 asks: What is sanctification? It answers: Sanctification is the work of God’s free grace, whereby we are renewed in the whole man after the image of God, and are enabled more and more to die unto sin, and live unto righteousness. It’s the fundamental work of pastors to shepherd people in this sanctification (i.e., change); to put off the old way and take up a new way.
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