A recent phone conversation with my sister:
Her: "oh, I see Travis (her husband) coming down the driveway"
Me: "Well, I will let you go so you can get a breath mint and put on some gloss."
Her: (in jest) Hey, he should love me just the way I am.
Me: "NOPE. HE DOESN'T."
We both laughed and I'm pretty sure she went to get some lip gloss.
But I was serious. (As serious as you can be goofing with your sister) I go to a lot of trouble to not be "just the way I am". I shower, put on makeup, color my hair, brush my teeth, workout, read books, Google, etc. all of this, in an effort to be an increasingly better version of myself. I think that it is safe to say that the people in my life appreciate it - especially the showering and teeth brushing.
In Psalm 51 David uses the phrases, "wash me", "purify me", "make me", "create in me", "restore me" - change, change, change me. David knew that His God is love, but that love is one of a Maker and Redeemer. God accepts us as we are, but He does not accept that we remain that way. He has called us and received us for more. I am uncomfortable that in our churches we are cultivating a culture and a gospel that says that Jesus Christ died so that our sin can be "accepted" and "tolerated" rather than forgiven and changed. Jesus did not die so that God wouldn't mind if we lie, gossip, cheat, or stew in our anger. Jesus did not die so that God would let it slide if we continue in our addictions and remain ignorant about His Word. He died that we might be forgiven and set free to be changed for His glory.
I am so grateful for the wonderful truth that God will take me and love me just as I am, but I am all the more thankful for the grace that draws me closer to Him and further from me.
