Though I cannot speak for everyone, I presume that most people would opt for a mulligan, or do-over, for many mistakes and poor choices we have faced over the course of our lives. It explains the tens of thousands of self-help books, YouTube videos and courses; and hundreds of thousands of therapists and practitioners of every sort, in vain attempt to re-center ourselves. With a problem humanity faces, every solution that springs forth seems to have unintended consequences, is unworkable or is of short-term benefit. This is because human beings primarily think: how do I/we/my “tribe” solve problem X? All the answers normally run “If only others would … pay this much more”, or “…do this or that”, “donate more, share with, or listen to me“, problem X could be fixed.
This approach to effect change through human willpower (sometimes, through an authority’s coercive power) has not worked. It might have temporary affect on behavior but never a profound and lasting influence on human nature. Those who follow Jesus Christ have someone fully God and fully Man, to show us a different way.
I hope these studies will be appreciated by anyone: those who never have considered a spiritual component to existence; are only now embarking on discovering who God is; or are leaning into God’s plans for each of us individually through His message of Hope and Love. For believers, faith is as invisible as the force of gravity and as profound in its affect on humanity. The spiritual power we can partake through a life in Jesus Christ transforms us. We become a new creation.
All quoted scripture is from the New International Version (NIV) translation, except where noted. Highlights are mine – author
GALATIANS 6:15 : “Neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything; what counts is a new creation.” (From Old Testament times, male Jews followed the practice of circumcision to demonstrate faith)
ROMANS 12:2 : “Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is – His good, pleasing and perfect will.”
Question: Are you willing to put God’s love for you ahead of what the world accepts & teaches (which leaves no room for God)?
2 CORINTHIANS 3:18 “And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his likeness with an ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.”
Greek: metamorpho; picture the metamorphosis of a caterpillar to a butterfly.
A spiritual transformation into God’s likeness; it is gradual and ongoing, taking our entire remaining lifetime of devotion and apprenticeship to Christ.
2 CORINTHIANS 5:17 “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation, the old has gone, the new has come.”
Question/ Discussion: Does the God-given opportunity to live renewed excite you?
An undivided heart
For thousands of years, people have associated our character and our physical being with the heart. Life, love, and our receptiveness to spiritual influence is considered a “heart” matter. Long ago as a “hard-hearted” cynic, when I finally quit doing and failing on my own, I sought out God. One of the first benefits of learning to follow Christ, was my heart changing toward others and toward myself.
EZEKIEL 11:19 “l will give them an undivided heart and put a new spirit in them: I will remove from them their heart of stone and give them a heart of flesh.”
Question: What does this mean to you? What do you look forward to as this occurs?
MATTHEW 5: 8 “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.”
JAMES 1:5-8 ” If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the world? That man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all he does.”
Belief and personal responsibility
A believing faith is the only faith acceptable to God. Faith is devotion not mere commitment. And with belief, obedience congruent with devotion
Question: Do you have a conflicted heart?
James 1: 22 “Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.”
Read JAMES 2: 14 through 24; A pure, raw faith, is a faith PLUS demonstrable deeds. Note that James cites the example of Abraham.
JAMES 3: 13 -17. “Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by their good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. 14 But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. 15 Such “wisdom” does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. 16 For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice. 17 But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.
Question: Do you have the faith /devotion to live what you believe, and live as you preach to others?
Become Children of God
JOHN 1:12-13 “Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God—children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.”
Notes
- WORDS emphasized in the Gospel of John: “believe” (54 times); “believed” (19 x); “believes” (13 x)
A new Life in Glory
COLOSSIANS 3: 2-4 “Set your minds of things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.
In a couple weeks, I will post another study for your consideration. I welcome comments and feedback from seekers as well as fellow believers. -Eric
It's a Dog's Life 