Conformed or Transformed

My Utmost For His Highest

 

“The disciples loved Jesus Christ to the limit of their natural capacity, but they did not fully understand His purpose. In the Garden of Gethsemane they slept as a result of their own sorrow, and at the end of three years of the closest and most intimate relationship of their lives they “all . . . forsook Him and fled” (Matthew 26:56). “They were all filled with the Holy Spirit . . .” (Acts 2:4). “They” refers to the same people, but something wonderful has happened between these two events— our Lord’s death, resurrection, and ascension— and the disciples have now been invaded and “filled with the Holy Spirit.” Our Lord had said, “You shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you . . .” (Acts 1:8). This meant that they learned to watch with Him the rest of their lives.” CHAMBERS

I think that many Christians have a clear understanding of who Jesus is … but don’t really have a clue about who they are ‘in Christ’.  In large measure, after surrendering their lives to  Jesus, they take it back.  What I mean is that they respond to His voice, just like the disciples did.  But they fail to understand that they cannot follow Him of they don’t live by the Spirit and not by the power of their own flesh.  Like the disciples, their flesh will fail them when they are faced with spiritual challenges.  You see … God never intended for us to contend with the Spiritual in the power of our flesh.  The common failing of Christians is that they believe they can.  That they can live the Christian life by their own wit, common sense, and determination.  Of course, were that true, Jesus would not have had to go to the cross.

 

I am facing a particular challenge as we serve in Haiti. That being, when I say something to Haitians … I mean one thing and they understand another.  They respond in a way that I never intended.  That is somewhat like the problem Christians have.  We know that it is not by might, or by power but by the Spirit (Zechariah 4:6) … we understand those words as they are being said or read, but we don’t really comprehend the implications for our lives.  That I can’t live this life in Christ on my own.  But I keep trying to, nonetheless.

 

As you read about the disciples in the Gospels and then read about them in Acts, you can see the metamorphosis that took place.  The difference was the absence or presence of the Spirit in them.

 

So it is with Christians today.  How are you living out your new life?  Are you treating your conversion like any other event in your life.  It happened but you continue to live in the same manner that you did before? Or has it changed the way you see the world .. the way you live your life … how you spend your time .. how you spend your money … how you treat other people … Have you been transformed or are you still conformed to this world? (Romans 12:2)

 

Have you noticed that very often we are told what to do, but not how to do it?  Transformation doesn’t happen by sitting in church or thinking good thoughts, it happens by being purposeful in your pursuit of God.  Reading His Word, (Joshua 1:8,9) Praying (Philippians 4:6,7) gathering with other Christians (Hebrews 10:25) and letting God have His way with your life (Romans 12:1)

 

"Have thine own way Lord.  Have Thine own way.  Thou art the Potter, I am the clay.  Mold me and make me after Thy will.  While I am waiting, yielded and still.”

 

Bondye Beni Ou (God Bless You)