I AM WHAT I AM BUT AM I WHAT I OUGHT TO BE?

1 Corinthians 15:10 But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.Pastor Rick Jackson



I. THE PERSON TO BE!



Some years back the Army's recruiting motto was "Be all you can be! Join the Army." Now I am all for the U.S. Military but I've got to tell you -- for some people, joining the Armed Forces is a bad idea. "Oh, but the discipline, the camaraderie, the training is good for people." It's good for some people, maybe even most people, but not for all people. Sometimes idiots rise to become officers, sometimes the camaraderie might lead you into sin (many is the man who learned to drink in the Armed Forces and ruined his life), sometimes a person is bad and the training helps them be better at being bad. Not most... but some! But there is direction for every person that is THE PERSON TO BE! Male or female, young or old, red, yellow, black or white it doesn't matter. This is for everyone without exception.



1. THE PERSON TO BE IS A SAVED PERSON!



1 Corinthians 2:14 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither ° can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.



Philippians 3:12 Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus.



The saved person is right before God.



2. THE PERSON TO BE IS AN STUDIED PERSON!



2 Timothy 2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth



Who are you showing? God already knows, you aren't doing this to show off, You are doing this so you can show yourself whether or not you are approved unto God! The studied person is right to himself.



3. THE PERSON TO BE IS A SANCTIFIED PERSON!



1 Peter 3:15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:



The sanctified person is right toward others!



II. THE PERSON THAT FLEES! [1 Timothy 6:1-11]



There are certain situations we should avoid. They are certain situations in which we should stand. But there are also certain times or certain situations in which the right thing to do is to flee!



1. 1 Corinthians 6:18 Flee fornication. Every sin that a man doeth is without the body; but he that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body.



2. 1 Corinthians 10:14 Wherefore, my dearly beloved, flee from idolatry.



3. 2 Timothy 2:22 Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart.



III. THE GOD THAT SEES!



If you are thinking at this point, "Man, that's hard stuff. Why should I be that person? Why should I flee those things?" Quite simply, you are being watched!



1. GOD SEES EVERYWHERE! [Proverbs 15:3] The eyes of the LORD are in every place, beholding the evil and the good.



2. GOD SEES EVERYTHING! [Hebrews 4:12-13] For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do.



3. GOD SEES EVERYBODY! [2 Chronicles 16:9] For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to shew himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him. Herein thou hast done foolishly: therefore from henceforth thou shalt have wars.



(Look at His motive though! Yes, He sees the wrong, but He's looking for the right so He can help them. That's why we should be the person we ought to be and flee the things we ought to flee! God is watching us!)



Proverbs 22:12 The eyes of the LORD preserve knowledge, and he overthroweth the words of the transgressor.



1 Peter 3:12 For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil.