Consider Why God Speaks

Psalm 81:8–16

Theme: God speaks to us for our benefit and for His delight to advance a relationship with us.

Introduction:

God speaks to us for reasons that are purely His own; He loves us, and He desires to have a relationship with us. Psalm 81 is a deeply moving plea from God to His people to listen to his words, counsel, and instructions (vs. 8, 11, & 13).

Harold Willmington characterized this Psalm in the following way:

Sin spoils the celebration. During one of Israel's regular festivals, Asaph exhorted the people to praise God for his acts of national deliverance (81:1-7). He lamented, however, the people's constant sin, reminding them of the blessings that could have been had they only obeyed (81:8-16; see Matt 23:37; Luke 19:41-42).

Can you hear the sorrow in God's voice as He pleads with His people to listen to Him? And for what purpose?  So that He might bless them! God desires only good for His people.

We can sense what God wants for each of us. Very specifically, He desires that we comprehend His truth about who He is, who we are, and the relationship He wants to have with us. He designs for us to be conformed to His truth applying it to our lives in ways that increasingly transform us into the image of Christ Jesus. Now let us consider each of these individually….

Message:

God Wants Us to Comprehend the Truth

Psalm 25:8-9, Good and upright is the Lord: therefore will he teach sinners in the way. [9] The meek will he guide in judgment: and the meek will he teach his way.   

God Will Teach Us the Truth

God has given to all believers a divine person. The Holy Spirit—who lives within us to help us receive and understand the truth. The Holy Spirit knows perfectly the mind of God, and the Holy Spirit communicates to our spirits the truth God wants us to hear (John 14:26; 1Cor. 2:9-10, 12).

God desires that we know the mind of God. We can never know the mind of God fully because we are finite creatures and He is infinite. But we can grow in our understanding about who God is, how He operates in our world, and why He does the things He does.

For many reasons, we may be limited in our understanding of God's motives and methods. We may not have read all the Bible. To understand the true and full context of any passage of God's Word, we need to understand the true and full context of all God's Word. Also, we may have cultural differences that keep us from understanding fully what certain things in the Bible mean. We may not have the maturity in Christ Jesus that we need to understand deeper layers of meaning. We may be trying to understand the Bible solely with our minds, which is always futile. The Bible is a spiritual book. It speaks to and is applied to the spirit.

None of these reasons, however, are a fixed wall for us. We can grow in our understanding by reading more of God's Word, studying the cultural background of the Bible, gaining more maturity in Christ Jesus, and learning how to read the Bible with spiritual understanding.

Psalm 25:4-5, Shew me thy ways, O Lord; teach me thy paths. [5] Lead me in thy truth, and teach me: for thou art the God of my salvation; on thee do I wait all the day.

God Will Teach Us The Truth About Himself

The Lord desires that we know the truth about Him.

Psalm 81:10, I am the Lord thy God, which brought thee out of the land of Egypt: open thy mouth wide, and I will fill it.

    

First, He is our Creator (Genesis 1:27-28, 31). God fashioned us as unique creatures. He made all of the natural world for us to rule and enjoy. He has provided all that we need.

Secondly, He is our life (Genesis 2:7). God breathed into us His breath. We are spirit because God imparted His Spirit to us. We cannot exist apart from God.

Thirdly, He loves us (1 John 4:19). He is continually reaching out to us with affection, calling to us individually by name (Ps. 81:8-10).

God Will Teach Us The Truth About Ourselves

The truth about each of us is twofold:

First, the Holy Spirit convicts us that we are sinners (John 3:16-17). We are born apart from God. The primary message of the Holy Spirit to us as long as we are apart from God is that we need God.

Second, once we have accepted Jesus Christ as our Savior, the Holy Spirit becomes our Comforter and Counselor (1 John 4:15; 2Cor. 5:17).

He speaks hope to us in times of turmoil. He strengthens our faith to trust God for our total sustenance. He gives us the assurance not only of our salvation but also of God's faithfulness and total provision toward us. He reveals to us our nature as God's saints on the earth and challenges us to grow more like Jesus.

As we discover more about ourselves, we usually begin to see others in a new light.

We see our fellow believers as people whom God is also fashioning, forming, and transforming. We see that all people are loved by God, are in need of God, and can have access to God. We become much more inclined to love others unconditionally.

God's truth to us is that we are to love one another (John 15:17; 1 John 4:7, 20).

Sometimes The Lord Will Teach Us Specific Lessons

A Highly Personal Word of Instruction. God not only speaks in general and absolute terms to all people, but He speaks to each one of us personally. We can hardly comprehend that possibility with our finite minds. God is an infinite God, and He is capable of communicating with each one of us, right where we are—in the midst of our current circumstances or crises—in very personal, direct, and explicit terms.

This may be the most important concept you can ever grasp in learning how to listen to God. When God speaks, He is speaking to you. Everything in the Bible can be applied to your life in some way. Every message or communication that is based on the Word of God has truth embedded within it that is for you. There is no such thing as a chapter in the Bible, a sermon based on God's Word, or a book that expounds and explains God's Word that is not for you (2Tim. 3:16, 17). Each of us must take God's Word personally!

Personal Does Not Mean Exclusive.

This is not to say that God has an exclusive word for a person. God doesn't deal in secrets. He won't reveal truth to one person and deny it to another.

Be on guard if you hear somebody say, “God told me something, but He told me I can't tell anybody else,” or “God had a word that's just for me and not for you.” God doesn't play favorites, but He does have intimates. He doesn't speak to one child and totally ignore His other children.

His word of correction to you may be so personal that you don't want to share it with other people, but ultimately, God's word of correction is an absolute that applies to all people. The same goes for God's promises, provisions, and insights.

God Wants Us to Conform to the Truth

It is not enough that we comprehend the truth. We must be conformed to the truth.

The Living Sacrifice

Romans 12:2, And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

God calls us to present ourselves to Him as if we are a “living sacrifice.” In the Old Testament days, God consumed sacrifices with His holy fire as a sign of His presence among the people.

In our time, God burns out of us with His holy presence everything that is not like Jesus, and then He causes us to burn and to shine brightly with a zeal for living the life Jesus would live if He was walking in our shoes.

Conformity to Jesus

As we read and hear God's Word, we come face-to-face with ourselves, our deficiencies, sins, our errors, our faults. We say again and again, “I'm not like Jesus. But I want to be like Him.” At these times we know that God is truly speaking to us because God always calls us to become more and more like Jesus.

Romans 8:29, For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.

How do you do this? You say to the Father, “Help me to change. Help me to be more like Jesus.” God has promised that He will show you how to be like Jesus, and He will help you become more like Him.

Being Doers of the Word

Every time you realize that your life doesn't line up perfectly with the truth of God's Word, you have a choice to make—to accept or reject God's way. When you accept God's way and openly say to the Lord, “I'm not like that, but I want to be like that,” He begins to do something inside you. You may find that your tastes are changing. You may become uncomfortable in situations in which you used to feel comfortable. You may have new desires for things that are good, healthful, and wholesome. That's the transforming power of God at work!

James 1:23-25, For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: [24] For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was. [25] But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.

   

Transformation is Always Important

God doesn't speak frivolously. He doesn't joke around. God means what He says. He will do what He says. God is serious about His relationship with you. He doesn't speak to you in idle terms. He expects you to respond to His voice, heed His Word, and act on it.

Can you remember last Sunday's sermon? Can you recall what you read in God's Word yesterday? You'll be able to remember if you were listening for what God had to say to you and if you take seriously the idea that God intends for you to do something in response to His Word.

God speaks for your benefit. He desires for you to listen to Him and then respond to His words. Sometimes He will challenge you to change your thinking or to release certain feelings and opinions that you have been harboring. Sometimes He will command you to change certain aspects of your behavior. Sometimes He desires to encourage you so that you might live your life with greater joy and strength.  

Always, however, God's Word is for your transformation. It is intended to change you in some way.

Psalm 119:9, Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word.

Joshua 1:7-8, Only be thou strong and very courageous, that thou mayest observe to do according to all the law, which Moses my servant commanded thee: turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, that thou mayest prosper whithersoever thou goest. [8] This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.

   

Approach God's Word seriously. Listening to God is not a casual pastime or a let's-try-it-and-see-if-you-like-it activity. Listening to God is the most important thing you can do in your life for your eternal sake.

Conclusion:

God has something to say to you! One of the most important lessons in life that you and I can learn is how to listen to God. In our complex and hectic lives, nothing is more urgent, nothing more necessary, and nothing more rewarding than hearing what God has to say to us—both as a body of believers and as individual people.

If you are going to develop a relationship with another person, you have to converse with that person in some manner. That means both talking and listening. Also remember that God does not speak frivolously. God means what He says. He will do what He says. God is serious about His relationship with you. He expects you to respond to His voice, heed His Word, and act on it.

The Ultimate Transformer

Spiritual change and development is the product of intimate interactions with the Spirit of the Lord. Bible study in and of itself is very good, but it is not an end. The study of the Scriptures is a means to an end. The goal is life with God. Living intercourse with Him daily is nothing short of revolutionary in our experience. Yes, beloved, intimacy with God will transform you and me. Do not fear, child of God, this is why God deposited His Spirit within you. He is the Ultimate Transformer!

TRANSFORMER

 The Apostle Paul highlighted the wonder of the Spirit transforming believers from being carnal to spiritual (1 Cor. 2:14-16).  Because of the Spirit’s dynamic teaching ministry, believers will grow as they cooperate with Him.  This is one of the reasons He undertakes a teaching ministry—to mature saints. The saved person is referred to as “spiritual” simply because God’s Spirit tabernacles in him.  The lost person is called “natural” because he does not possess the Spirit.  Dr. Wiersbe (1989, Vol. 1, p. 576, 577) pointed out,

In 1 Cor. 3:1-4, Paul will introduce a third kind of person, the “carnal man.” He is the immature Christian, the one who lives on a childhood level because he will not feed on the Word and grow…. But as the Christian day by day receives the things of the Spirit he grows and matures.

ILLUMINATOR

Though the growth process is gradual and sometimes imperceptible, God is very much at work.  First Corinthians 2:14, reveals that the gospel can only be received by the power of “the holy Ghost.” Since only Spirit indwelt people have the capacity to receive spiritual truths, it follows that an unregenerate person, would not and could not receive the message of wisdom regardless of his intellectual aptitude.  Unassisted, the unsaved natural person does not get “the things of the Spirit of God.” They are regarded as absolutely foolish by him. He cannot possibly understand them because they can only be “spiritually discerned” (1Cor. 2:14). This highlights the need of the Spirit to illuminate the truth—make it understood to the reader. Walvoord and Zuck (1985) in their Bible Knowledge Commentary said, “Like a deaf critic of Bach or a blind critic of Raphael is the unregenerate critic of God’s Word.” The unsaved individual really cannot penetrate into the full understanding of what the Christian's life is all about. The insightful Vance Havner (MacDonald & Farstad 1985, p. 1753) advises:

The wise Christian wastes no time trying to explain God’s program to unregenerate men; it would be casting pearls before swine. He might as well try to describe a sunset to a blind man or discuss nuclear physics with a monument in the city park. The natural man cannot receive such things. One might as well try to catch sunbeams with a fishhook as to lay hold of God’s revelation unassisted by the Holy Spirit. Unless one is born of the Spirit and taught by Him, all this is utterly foreign to him. Being a Ph.D. does not help, for in this realm it could mean ‘Phenomenal Dud!’

Conversely according to The Life Application Commentary Series (Livingston Cooperation 1994), a believer, possessing the Spirit and guided by Him, is equipped to scrutinize, evaluate and apply all things the Spirit reveals (v. 10). He is illuminated by the Spirit of God and can discern these wonderful truths even though he himself cannot be rightly judged by the unconverted. MacDonald and Farstad (1995, p. 1753-1754) observed,

Perhaps he is a carpenter, or plumber, or fisherman; yet he is an able student of the Holy Scriptures. “The Spirit-controlled Christian investigates, inquires into, and scrutinizes the Bible and comes to an appreciation and understanding of its contents” (KSW). To the world he is an enigma. He may never have been to college or seminary, yet he can understand the deep mysteries of the word of God and perhaps even teach them to others.

The spiritual man can be judged only by God (4:3-5), not by unregenerate people (2:15) or by worldly Christians (3:1-3). The believers in Christ Jesus “have the mind of Christ” (1Cor. 2:16). To have the mind of Christ is to know and be obedient to God’s revealed plan and will (Phil. 2:5-8). God cannot be known through the wisdom or power of men. He is known only as He chooses to make Himself known.

However, since Christians have the mind of Christ we are able to understand the deep truths of God. In practical terms to “have the mind of Christ” is looking at life from the Lord’s point of view, having His values and desires in mind. It refers to thinking God’s thoughts and not the world’s. Believers can never fully know everything God is thinking (Romans 11:34), but because we have the Holy Spirit, we can develop a relationship with God. And, as with any relationship, when one spends time with someone, one begins to understand their thoughts, plans, and ways. This is illustrates in marriage. After years of marriage couples can finish each other's sentences and anticipate each other’s thoughts. It is the same with God. As one spends time with Christ in his Word and prayer and the relationship develops, one begins to gain the mind of Christ. Intimacy with God transpires and one knows what He desires, appreciates, cherishes, and plans. Also one will understand what He hates, rejects, and what He finds offensive and wicked.

So there it is. God’s Spirit reveals and teach things to Christians what they would not and could not know otherwise. The Spirit is the Revealer, Inspirer of Scripture, the Illuminator of truth as the Teacher and Transformer of repentant sinners who trust in Christ as Savior. He enables God’s people to understand and apply what He has already revealed in the Scriptures. Still the pull to sin that is within each child of God clouds their minds and their wills so that they misunderstand, misinterpret, and resist the full truth of Scripture. Even though they are believers, they in themselves lack both the ability and the inclination to understand. Max Anders (1995, Chapter 4) observed, “The Holy Spirit, however, opens their minds and warms their hearts so that they gain a growing understanding and a growing inclination to follow Scripture” (Ephesians 1:17–18; 3:18–19; 2 Corinthians 3:14–16; 4:6). It may not be as sudden and clear-cut as the experiences of others, but the Holy Spirit will open the mind of the Christian to the truth of Scripture. David prayed again and again, especially in Psalm 119, that the Lord would teach Him. He said,

Deal bountifully with thy servant, that I may live, and keep thy word. ¹⁸ Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law. ¹⁹ I am a stranger in the earth: hide not thy commandments from me. ²⁰ My soul breaketh for the longing that it hath unto thy judgments at all times” (Ps. 119:17-20).

This is a prayer every believer can and should pray. Is this not the longing of your heart? To be close to God and listening to His instructions and insights.... David's prayer is a plea God truly delights in answering thoroughly. Listen carefully, depend on ‘Professor Holy Spirit’ like a nursing infant upon his mother and you will learn and grow. He is the finest Teacher we believers can ever have. Go ahead and clear the schedule.  Make some time to be His student.  Get your Bible, and prepare yourself to be changed from deep within. You will know God as a result of such a study with the Spirit. Such knowledge can change you and me forever.

The Goal of Spiritual Change

2Cor. 3:18

Theme: The goal of spiritual change is transformation into the likeness of our Lord Jesus.

Introduction:

The frog was lucky. When the princess kissed him, there was a loud “PPppoooff!” The frog was gone. In his place stood a handsome young prince with golden, wavy hair; he was the picture of perfection. Of course the princess fainted. No worries...he caught her in his powerful arms and carried her effortlessly to his faithful steed, mounted swiftly, and raced off toward their happy ever after. (Anders)

His change was instantaneous, complete, and permanent. He did not have to struggle to change the way we do. No, the fairy tale frog was lucky. Real life for the Christian is not so easy. Our change from a frog to a prince is a gradual transformation, and not an unbroken, uphill progression. Rather, it is like a stock-market chart. Some days up, some days down, but overall, we hope, an upward movement. This can be pretty unnerving for us.  But it does help us to focus if we understood what our goal is. (Anders)

Message:

Second Corinthians 3:18,  says, "But we all, with open [unveiled] face beholding as in a glass [mirror] the glory of the Lord, are changed [transformed] into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord."

Clearly this is a supernatural, glorious, progressive—lifelong—transformation wrought from the inside out by the Holy Spirit advancing each Believer from one level of the unveiled glory of Christ to the next greater resemblance of Him.  This is our transformation experience.  It is an inward change that has an outward evident effect.  And what a glorious change it is! 

But how can such a drastic change transpire?  Well, the power lies in the Holy Spirit of God.

I.      The Power for Change—This Wonderful Process Is the Work of The Holy Spirit—“even as by the Spirit of the Lord.”

A.     The Holy Spirit is the Power.  The third member of the Godhead who effects this splendid modification in believers. 

                                                 1.      He draws the believer’s attention to the perfections of Christ, highlights areas of deficiency and sin in the people of God, urges us on to our spiritual potential in Christ and then literally empowers us to attain it. 

                                                 2.      Clearly it is not through mere human effort, psychological reform, or mere human determination, for no such energy and power resides in the “flesh” of humanity (Rom. 7:18).  While men can alter their behavior, it is utterly impossible to affect the spectacular transformation mentioned here. 

B.     Every Believer Must Rely on Him for Spiritual Change! Even the child of God, who has a new nature and is indwelt by God’s Spirit, must depend on, trust in, yield to, and cooperate with the Spirit of the Lord to experience these changes.

                                                 1.      Also some reflection on the word “change,” employed strategically by Paul, is helpful here. The Greek word is “metamorpho,” which means “to change into another form, to transform, to transfigure.”

i.         Our English word metamorphosis is a transliteration of this Greek word. Metamorphosis describes the process that changes an insect from a larva into a pupa and then into a mature insect. The changes come from within. –The Bible Exposition Commentary

ii.       Metamorphosis reminds me of the TV show, the Incredible Hulk where David Banner was transformed into a giant muscular monster because of a gamma radiation overdose.

iii.      The term refers to Christ’s appearance in Matthew 17:1-9 as ‘changed and resplendent with divine brightness on the mount of transfiguration’. 

iv.     It is the same word the apostle Paul used in Romans 12: 2, where he commanded, “be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind…” Obviously the nature of this transformation is fantastic.

                                                 2.      But how can such a drastic alteration of morals, values, and character transpire?  The power for change is the Holy Spirit of God: “even as by the Spirit of the Lord.”  

                                                 3.      William MacDonald observed, “As we behold the Lord of glory, study Him, contemplate Him, gaze on Him adoringly, the Spirit of the Lord works in our life the marvelous miracle of increasing conformity to Christ.” (MacDonald) 

II.   The Goal of Change—The Aim of Spiritual Change Is Christlikeness—“are changed into the same image….”

A.     The “Image” of Christ is what we Aim for. 

                                                 1.      The marvelous hope of conformity to Jesus Christ; the Son of God (Rom. 8:29)! But what image did the Lord Jesus give us? What are we to become?

i.         Jesus was always perfectly devoted to God (Jn. 4:34; 6:38; 8:29).

ii.       Jesus loved others as Himself serving them and dying for us all

iii.      Jesus was the flawless demonstration of godliness and holiness—He always did right

iv.     Jesus is the fullest expression of godly character and the fruit of the Spirit

                                                 2.      The Spirit leads Christians from justification through sanctification to glorification. As believers manifest the fruit of the Spirit (Gal. 5:22-23), they are progressively being transformed into His likeness. Christlikeness is the goal of the Christian walk (Eph. 4:23-24; Col. 3:10).–Walvoord

                                                 3.      Transformation typically does not happen overnight. But God invites us to go with Him on a lifelong journey—an expedition we know brings us, and His Churches, closer and closer to Christlikeness.  The Spirit of Christ is still effectively executing this ministry in each believer.

B.     An Old Proverb says, “The apple never falls far from the tree.”

                                                 1.      It means that children are often like their parents, both physically and in some nonphysical characteristics. God also wants us to not fall far from His tree. His goal for us as Christians is that we be changed from our pre-Christian nature into the likeness of our Lord Jesus.

                                                 2.      We see that we are being transformed by the Spirit of the Lord into the image of our Lord Jesus.

III.           The Tool for Change—The Spirit uses the Word of God—“beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord….”

A.     It Is True That The Bible Is The Mirror That We Are To Gaze Into (2 Cor. 3:18).  The Bible is the mirror that we are to study, meditate upon, memorize, and apply to life situations. Once again Paul said, “But we all, with open [unveiled] face beholding as in a glass [mirror] the glory of the Lord” (2Cor. 3:18).  The word “glass” refers to a mirror, which is a type or representation of the Word of God (1Cor. 13:12; Js. 1:23).  The word shows the image of Christ and reveals the great chasm between the believer and the Savior.

B.     Expect The Spirit to Use the Bible. 

                                                 1.      The Spirit uses predominantly the one Book He Himself authored—The Holy Bible. The word of God is the essential element the Spirit of the Lord uses and He faithfully brings the believer’s attention to Christ Jesus. 

                                                 2.      There have been occasions when I misread the Word or tried to use the Bible to justify my sinful anger. The Lord Jesus expressed righteous indignation when He cleansed the Temple (Matt. 2:13-17; 21:12, 13) on both occasions, but I tried to use this to excuse my sinful and selfish anger. Later the Lord showed me my anger was rooted in sin, and Christ’s anger was a zeal or jealousy for God to be honored in His Temple. The Bible reveals our lives in the light of Christ’s perfections.

                                                 3.      Certainly this addresses the questions of what believers responsibilities are and how the Spirit effects this change. We Christians are to “behold” Him—the brilliant and glorious unveiled Son of God in the Word—we are to concentrate our spiritual and mental faculties on Christ.

                                                 4.      In other words, the Word of God does more than regenerate believers (we are regenerated by the Spirit of God using the Word of God, 1 Pet. 1:23).  Likewise “the Spirit of the Lord” uses His Bible to transform God’s children.  This is monumentally important! (Jn. 17:17; 1Pet. 2:2)

C.     Focus Your Attention on the Lord Jesus.

                                                 1.      Further the context of this passage contrasts the Old Covenant of Moses and its fading glory with the New Covenant of Christ with its brilliant and ever increasing glory.  Israel could not look on the glory of God not even for a moment, but Christians are privilege to “behold” Him gazing continually upon Christ.

                                                 2.      As we are occupied with the glory of the risen, ascended, exalted Lord Jesus Christ, we are being transformed into the same image. Here, in a word, is the secret of Christian holiness—occupation with Christ. Not by occupation with self; that brings only defeat. Not by occupation with others; that brings disappointment. But by occupation with the glory of the Lord, we become more and more like Him. –Believer’s Bible Commentary

D.     Let the Word Reveal the Glorious Christ! 

                                                 1.      The “glory of the Lord”—this is the reason the people of God must consistently study the Bible.  As we meditate on Him, we are moved closer to His image—reflecting more of Him inwardly and outwardly. O that God’s people would spend more time glaring in the mirror of the Word, beholding Him more.

                                                 2.      In the Scriptures we see His “open face” free of obscurities and obstructions. We are exposed to the explicitly declared Christ in His superb character. Oh, how terribly wondrous He is in glory!  Great is our privilege to see, know, and gaze upon Him!

E.     Beloved, Do you really want to be Christlike? Then spend time beholding Jesus.

                                                 1.      Turn your eyes upon Jesus;

Look full in His wonderful face;

And the things of earth will grow strangely dim

In the light of His glory and grace. --Helen H. Lemmel, 1922

                                                 2.      I need this. I hope you, too, sense a need of seeing Jesus Christ on the pages of the Word of God so that you might grow more like Him. –McGee, J. Vernon: Thru the Bible Commentary

                                                 3.      We must read, meditate, and live out the Word daily (Ps. 1:2; Matt. 4:4; Heb. 5:14).

Conclusion:

We are in a continuing process of transformation into the very image of Christ. Christlikeness is the ultimate goal of our journey (Eph. 4:23–24; Col. 3:10). One of the greatest compliments a Christian can receive is, “I see Jesus in you!” or “You handled that situation like Jesus would have were He here.”

While we are keenly aware of the importance of the externals, we must put forth greater effort in the cultivation of the inner life—inner grace moving us to think, desire, value, appreciate, and love as Christ would. We not only want to do the right things, but also be the right person. Being is as important as doing or not doing. Yes, it is right to have some standards and it is right to denounce sin, but do not fail to magnify the Lord Jesus Christ through actual internal change.  

Is Real Change Possible?

Frustrated with your New Year's resolutions? Tired of trying to make changes only to realize another failure? Yeah...every honest soul understands the struggle you are facing. Perhaps you are wondering if real change is possible. Can't lose the weight and keep it off...everything tastes soooo good. You just never seem to get enough to eat. You intend to start an exercise program soon, but you never seem to get around to it. You can't seem to get beyond taking out work frustrations on your family. The kids are just being kids, but before you know it you are yelling at them again. They have begun to avoid you.... No matter what you do to stop lying you still find yourself exaggerating and shading meanings to give a false impression. You know it is wrong, but.... Road rage is all too real, and every time you decide to stop something else crazy happens in traffic setting you off again.  ...still get too excited at the kids games...you know it is embarrassing, but the Ref keeps making bad calls against your son's team. Many other scenarios could be added, but these will suffice for now. Well, real change is not easy, but it is possible.

Now think for a moment...can a caterpillar change into a butterfly? Likewise, God has an answer for our questions and perplexities surrounding spiritual changes! Through Jesus Christ every believer is stoaked with change potential! That is correct. Without a single exception, believers can experience significant and substantial changes through faith in Christ.

According to the Apostle Paul, change most certainly is possible! Second Corinthians 3:18,  clearly states, “But we all, with open [unveiled] face beholding as in a glass [mirror] the glory of the Lord, are changed [transformed] into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.” Spiritual change involves a holy obsession with Christ as He is revealed in the Word, and the life-altering power of the Spirit of the Lord within the trusting Believer. It is not so much focused on self, but primarily focused on Christ, the goal of all authentic spiritual formation. We will become like whatever or whomever we focus our concentration and reflection upon. The key to becoming like Jesus Christ is not excessive concentration on self, but on the Lord Jesus Christ. Gaze upon His peerless devotion to the will of God. Study His impeccable character, and meditate upon Christ's holy love for God and humanity. Work out the practical meaning and the many applications of His holy attitudes, aspirations, and actions. Obsession with Jesus Christ will result in becoming more Christ-like. Beloved, this is real change! 

Spiritual changes are supernatural, glorious, progressive—lifelong—transformations realized from the inside out by the Holy Spirit advancing us Believer from one level of the unveiled glory of Christ to the next greater resemblance of Him. This is our journey of transfiguration into that image and stature of Christ (Eph. 4:11-16).  Like the caterpillar’s change into a butterfly begins with an inward metamorphosis that eventually provides external evidence, so it is with our Christlike formation. And what an astronomically glorious change God affects! But how can such a drastic and gracious change transpire?  Well, the power and grace comes from the Holy Spirit of God as we focus on Christ in the Word. So, yes real change is not only possible, but highly probable in genuine Believers. Turn your eyes upon Jesus in the Word!