06/08/2020
Are we working in unison with the Holy Spirit within us as he washes, transforms, and renews us, or do our human frailties cling to the sins of the old man, and slow to a crawl, or stop, our regeneration? Are we cheerful learners, or do we reluctantly bend to the will of God as His Spirit scrubs us clean?
“But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit,”
Titus 3:4-5 ESV
The acceptance of Jesus Christ as our Savior changes our lives. His presence Immediately alters the course we are on, even if that change comes reluctantly to some degree. Most feel a sudden movement within them the moment they open our hearts to Him, but even that initial jerk on our steering wheel doesn’t accomplish all that He intends to do within us. We are like a large ship that can’t turn on a dime... it takes a great distance before we are able to turn to any significantly degree.
“And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.”
2 Corinthians 3:18 ESV
I have long desired to walk the pilgrimage route called the Camino de Santiago in Spain. I want to do this because millions of believers have done so for over a thousand years, and although I am not certain about whether the remains of St. James are actually in the cathedral at its destination, I want to feel the worship, and faith, of all those righteous seekers in the dust of the route as it comes up to cover my feet as I walk in prayer. Faith does more than rub an ointment over our sin, it changes, and transforms, us spiritually to the likeness of Christ as we become more and more conformed to the image, and will of God.
“And to the one who does not work but believes in him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted as righteousness,”
Romans 4:5 ESV
Pilgrimage, and good works do not lead us to a renewal in Christ, but rather, our transformation leads us to do good things in faith... such as pilgrimage and works. These things reinforce who we are becoming, and strengthen our commitment and faith. This is like riding a bicycle; we don’t push on the pedals in their upstroke, but lean into them as we push them down. The things we do as a result of our faith (our works) will push the pedals down, but our faith itself brings them back up again, and increases our speed as it does... gaining righteous momentum, and propelling us towards our destination. Are we pedaling in cooperation with the Holy Spirit as He washes, regenerates, and renews us in faith, or are we slowing down our transformation by pushing on the pedals during their upstroke?
“But someone will say, “You have faith and I have works.” Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works.”
James 2:18 ESV
Prayer:
Father, thank you for your Son Jesus Christ, and the faith we have in Him, and thank you for your Holy Spirit that cleanses us, transforms us, and renews us with the blood of His sacrifice as we seek to increase in faith, and righteousness throughout our lives. Help us Lord to be cheerful, and determined in our pursuit of faith, and cooperative understudies of your Spirit. Holy, Holy, Holy, are you our God, who pours His grace over us like a healing oil. Praised be your name as you grow our faith, and we obediently do those things you have prepared for us. You are merciful Father, and use each shortcoming in our lives as a lesson meant to bring us closer to you. Great is your patience and slow are you to anger, even when we are dragging our feet, or otherwise working at odds with your Spirit. Teach us to hear, instruct us in how to feel you, and let the scent of your holiness become so strong around us that we savor its sweet goodness in our mouth. Encourage us Holy Father, and lead us to be perfected in our faith, and in your image. Give us these things to bring us closer to you, as we worship you in our hearts, souls, minds, and do good works by the strength of our faith, now, and forevermore.
“Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.”
Romans 5:1-5 ESV
Rich Forbes