Do you remember the ad campaign for 7-Up back in the 1970s? They positioned themselves as the “Un-Cola”. “7-Up – the Un-Cola”. Not AN un-cola, but THE Un-Cola, thereby creating a separate category of carbonated beverages. You have colas, and then you have the Un-Cola. Brilliant actually. And the campaign worked brilliantly for them.
The concept of un-cola recently raced through my mind when I was thinking through the life Jesus has purchased for us. Galatians 5:1 tells us, “It is for freedom that Christ has set us free.”
Why is it that so many of us do not live in the fullness of the life, love, freedom, hope, faith, strength, joy, peace, and myriad other attributes of the new life that is ours in Christ?
I believe it is because of the 4 deadly “Uns”. I’m not talking about the un-cola now, I’m talking about the un-life we live instead of the life we have in Christ. Our un-life is caused by the 4 deadly Uns:
Why do we miss the life Jesus has for us? We are unforgiving, or unbelieving, or unrepentant, or unwilling.
We must choose to forgive others. Jesus tells us that if we do not forgive others our Father does not forgive us:
“But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.” Matthew 6:15
If we do not choose to forgive others we stand in opposition to God. If we want to live in the grace, mercy and forgiveness of God we must extend forgiveness to others. Unforgiveness prevents us from living in the favor of God.
Unforgiveness is like drinking poison and hoping it harms the other person.
Who do you need to forgive?
Unbelieving keeps us from the life Jesus has for us because we remain trapped in the lies of the enemy. We choose to believe lies instead of the Truth of God. Jesus told us,
“Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” John 8:32
Without believing the Truth we are imprisoned by lies we have believed for years. Jesus told us He is the Way, the Life and the Truth. He told us He will send the Spirit of Truth to guide us in all Truth. He also told us,
“’The time has come’, he said. ‘The Kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!’” Mark 1:15
An unbelieving heart knows not the life of Christ.
What Truth do you need to believe?
“God opposes the proud, but shows favor to the humble. Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.” 1 Peter 5:5, 6
Being unrepentant is the epitome of pride. Repenting is choosing to humble ourselves to receive the grace and favor of God. New life always begins with repentance. Repentance is exchanging our death for God’s life. True repentance always leads to life.
Unrepentance keeps you trapped in the death of sin, not knowing the new life of God.
From what do you need to repent?
Unwillingness is refusing to make the choices you need to make and taking the action you need to take. Unwillingness lies at the bottom of the other deadly uns. We can be unwilling to repent, forgive and believe. Willingness though, is not passive. It is not a weak admission to the Lord that we are willing for Him to do all the work.
No, it is a willingness to roll up our spiritual sleeves and do the work. We must choose to obey Jesus and “work out our salvation”.
“Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling.” Philippians 2:12
Apprehending the life of Christ requires your effort.
What work have you been unwilling to do to work out your salvation?
Being unforgiving, unbelieving, unrepentant and unwilling will prohibit you from living the life Christ has for you, and for others through you.
Beware the 4 deadly “Uns”.