"Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect." Romans 12:2 (NLT)
I've been nagged with certain thoughts for a long time now that press on my mind regularly and breed a deep abiding concern in my heart. I'm simply sharing them in the hope that they may find a profitable home with someone.
You've probably heard the fairy tale about a frog who was transformed into a prince when kissed by the right girl... Well, I'm sure you know that our transformation - becoming more like Christ doesn't happen quite like that. And I'm concerned here about the possibility of some princes living like frogs and some actual frogs who may be purporting themselves to be princes just trying to lure a sweet kiss...
We're called not only to examine the letters contained in the word of God, but to observe and learn from the spirit that's in them - because it's through the spirit of them that the very drawing nature of the God who reigns justly is revealed and that sinners are led to become grateful, grace-redeemed saints. But the process at that point has only just begun. After sincere initial salvation, to a true disciple of Christ, the process of transformation becomes inevitable.
While it may be true that sins may be enjoyable for a short time, a wise person will weigh their cost, choosing their preference carefully, because the day will come when the sinner may be called to account not only for themselves, but also for the others that they've defiled with their vices. The irony of sin is that no matter how pleasurable it may seem at the time, it leads to death and decays a man even while he thinks he still lives - but the real joy, peace of mind and heart, and the fulfilling contentment that he seeks are found in the discipline of serving his Savior, Creator and Ultimate Judge. Satan's cheap and momentary imitations can't compare with what God offers both now and eternally for simple faith and patient discipline.
Man's been told the truth and warned repeatedly throughout the centuries of his time. Of those who've been made aware of the truth, each in his freedom has made his own choice. And if those choices were locked - finalized today, I wonder how many of even those who've claimed Christ with their mouths would show evidence before God that would bear true proof of their choice? How many professed believers would bear evidence of a renewed mind or of a new nature identifying them with Christ?
A little food for contemplation... How many followers of Christ actually choose their words carefully - to reflect those that one could expect to be heard coming from Christ's own mouth? How many guard their thoughts - taking captive those that Christ Himself would not allow to occupy His own mind? How many of them have disciplined themselves to set their lives on a course - not only in words or obligatory deed - but in honest spirit, toward intimate relationship with Christ? Wouldn't these things matter and among others be possible evidence of intentional discipleship and the inhabitation of Christ to Father God? The truth matters. I don't believe that Jesus expects us to be perfect, but I DO believe that He expects us to be sincere.
I could tell you that "I'm a hamster", but looking at me, you'd find absolutely no evidence that my words were true. My speaking those words doesn't tell the truth of what I really am - the evidence to your own eyes would speak against me and the evidence matters (my ears are even bigger and my"fur" is receding). It concerns me to think there may be some out there who won't be able to hide the truth from God's eyes boring through them in the end... and having their identity claims shattered. Were they sincere or merely claiming a popular name while not committing themselves to it's meaning and consequential changes? I am not now, nor have I ever been perfect, but I have complete confidence that when my heart is searched by those Holy eyes, they'll know the truth of my sincerity in claiming that my identity is found in Christ, in spite of my imperfections. I pray that's true of you as well.
I don't in any way believe that we're saved by works. Placing our faith in Christ, accepting His sacrifice in our place and committing our lives to Him in true relationship accomplishes that - nothing else. But to say that we've committed our faith and lives to Him with our mouths and then still remaining sinfully unchanged is impossible if our words were to be true. True, intentional relationship with Jesus changes people! To truly know Him creates an abiding desire to please Him and to become more like Him. The Apostle Paul knew that and his instruction wasn't offered with vain intention, but in powerful, life altering expectation of those who claim to follow Christ...
"Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits in the place of honor at God’s right hand. Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth. For you died to this life, and your real life is hidden with Christ in God. And when Christ, who is your life, is revealed to the whole world, you will share in all his glory.
So put to death the sinful, earthly things lurking within you. Have nothing to do with sexual immorality, impurity, lust, and evil desires. Don’t be greedy, for a greedy person is an idolater, worshiping the things of this world. because of these sins, the anger of God is coming. You used to do these things when your life was still part of this world. But now is the time to get rid of anger, rage, malicious behavior, slander, and dirty language. Don’t lie to each other, for you have stripped off your old sinful nature and all its wicked deeds. Put on your new nature, and be renewed as you learn to know your Creator and become like him. In this new life, it doesn’t matter if you are a Jew or a Gentile, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbaric, uncivilized, slave, or free. Christ is all that matters, and he lives in all of us.
Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony. And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful.
Let the message about Christ, in all its richness, fill your lives. Teach and counsel each other with all the wisdom he gives. Sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to God with thankful hearts. And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through him to God the Father." Colossians 3 (NLT)
Whether princes or frogs, we might be able to fool each other at times - but no one fools God... And in this current chaotic world, the unexpected could be our forever undoing if we aren't truly found in Christ. So if your commitment's been wavering or maybe even non-existent in this past year, the beginning of a brand new year presents a new opportunity to make a sincere commitment to follow Jesus with new relational intimacy and discipline, while finding ourselves transformed further into His precious image. The transformation may likely take time and effort and it may even be uncomfortable at times, but it's worth it on an exponential scale. The more you see Jesus in the mirror, the more you'll want to change. Please don't wait.
"No, O people, the LORD has told you what is good, and this is what he requires of you: to do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God." Micah 6:8 (NLT)
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