“He will take our weak mortal bodies and change them into glorious bodies like His own, using the same power with which He will bring everything under His control.” (Philippians 3:21 NLT)
From the moment we begin our journey with Jesus we are a work in progress, and that progress will last until we draw our last breath. At that point we will receive full evidence of the faith that has been changing us all along. Finally, we’ll see with certainty every step of the sometimes-painful journey has been worth it.
Life change, while critical, must always be initiated and carried out by God. Does that mean we should never take any initiative in making changes in our own life? Of course we should, but those changes must be initiated by the Holy Spirit; otherwise, they’re little more than “New Year’s resolutions” that die a quick and painful death after the emotion of our initial desire wears off.
The changes in our behavior can’t simply be the decisions of our mind but must come in coordination and connection with our heart. Lonnie Free wrote: “A change of behavior only glorifies God if it is motivated by a change of heart.”
Much of our initial effort to be conformed to Christ’s likeness, unfortunately, is motivated by the energy of the flesh. We watch those around us who seem to be modeling what we perceive to be Christlikeness and try to model our behavior after theirs. There’s just one big problem! We’re not them! The Lord never calls us to be like someone else, only to be like Him.
That’s why it’s critical we spend time in the Bible learning about and watching Jesus’ life in action. How did He speak? What did His life’s actions reveal? He did nothing by accident or without purpose. Did you ever wonder why He continued to sleep during the violent storm on the lake? There may be deep spiritual implications, but my take is, He was just worn out from ministry.
Much of our needed life-change happens in the course of life. It’s not necessarily something the Lord initiates apart from our daily routine. He may, of course, but how He’s worked most powerfully in my life is when He takes me aside, as He often did the Disciples, and walks with me through something I’ve just experienced.
For example, I remember well my first sermon. I was in my early twenties and shaking like a leaf. I’d written everything I believed the Lord had given me and did my best to express it in a meaningful way. After the service an elderly lady came up to me and said: “Oh brother Hager, that was one of the best sermons I’ve ever heard. There’s just one thing. You’re going to have to learn to speak up. I hardly heard a word you said!”
You know what the Lord taught me in that? Obviously, to speak up, but He also taught me humility. You know where my thoughts were going as she began – “Yes! I’m going to be the next Billy Graham!” But then she had to continue, so, as my ego bounced off the floor the Lord smiled and said, “You did fine, son, and don’t worry, I’ll help you with confidence so you can actually let people hear you next time.”
The best thing about life change, when it’s done in the right spirit, is it draws us closer to Jesus, the Author and Perfector of every change we’ll ever have to make.
Food for thought.
Blessings, Ed 😊
Walking With Jesus 