04/09/2021
It is one thing to acknowledge God, and recognize Jesus as His Son, but unless we give ourselves over to them, becoming transformed into new men and women, and longing for the return of Christ, then the job of faith, and righteousness, has not been completed in us. Newborn babies can feel the air about them, but until they take the first breath into their lungs, then life is not fully established in them. We may say that we have been born again, but have we breathed in Christ, and established the life of His New Covenant within us? Have we been transformed from certain death, and given an ever increasing, and joyous, life?
“I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.”
Romans 12:1-2 ESV
I am an aging man, and have been around faith, churches, and church life, for many years. In that time I have seen just about every degree of faith that a believer can exhibit... I have seen the amazing transformation that Jesus brings to Saints, and I have also seen those who acknowledge Him, but have never allowed themselves to be transformed at all by Him. It is such pleasure and joy to know those who were made new, and it has been so hard to be around those whose lives remain unchanged. We thank God for the spiritual influence of one, and pray for Christ’s continued influence, and renewal, of the other.
“But that is not the way you learned Christ!— assuming that you have heard about him and were taught in him, as the truth is in Jesus, to put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.”
Ephesians 4:20-24 ESV
Living in the New Covenant means that God has put his law, and the gospel, within us, and because it is written on our hearts, we are no longer the same people. We can’t justify ourselves by applying twisted and obscure details of written statutes, but find that all the angles of the old law have been smoothed, and we have no hiding places, or excuses, left for us. Our heart and soul convicts us, and the Holy Spirit casts a light on the dark places that our humanity once found refuge in. The more we are transformed into the image of Christ, the less wiggle room we can find for our old selves, and our sins. We can’t hide from the commandments, laws, and teaching that we have received because they are part of us, and hiding from ourselves is more than difficult.
“Nothing is covered up that will not be revealed, or hidden that will not be known. Therefore whatever you have said in the dark shall be heard in the light, and what you have whispered in private rooms shall be proclaimed on the housetops.”
Luke 12:2-3 ESV
So where do we stand today? Are we transformed, and moving towards sainthood, or just a superficial Christian? Are we attempting to shield our sins behind false justifications and technicalities, or is our heart and soul convicting us, and the Holy Spirit leading us to become transformed into the image of Jesus? Are we men and women of the New Covenant? Let’s meditate on this today; taking these thoughts into our heart where God intends them to thrive.
Prayer:
Father, thank you for your Son Jesus, the New Covenant you have established with us through Him, and for the willingness we have to allow you to transform us into a new, and perfect, creation. Help those of us Lord who can’t seem to open their hearts to you, and who remain unchanged with a hard heart. Soften them Lord, and make fertile ground from the stones that are in them today. Holy, Holy, Holy, are you our God who can soften the hardest heart, and write your laws, commandments, and the gospel of Jesus there. We praise your name for this New Covenant, and for preparing our hearts to receive it rather than carving it into the rock of intransigent hearts with your finger. Hear our prayers for those who wrestle with you against transformation, and resist becoming more Christlike. Have mercy on them Father, and open their eyes to the goodness, and grace, that awaits their renewal in Jesus. Wash us daily in the blood of Jesus, and hold the cup of His New Covenant to our lips as we drink from it. Change our lives with every breath we take, and find us worthy on that wonderful day when Jesus returns to claim us. Until that moment when you lift us up Father, and seat us at your table forevermore, use us to encourage the lost and hardened souls, by showing them the joy in transformed lives of New Covenant Saints.
“He who testifies to these things says, “Surely I am coming soon.” Amen. Come, Lord Jesus! The grace of the Lord Jesus be with all. Amen.”
Revelation 22:20-21 ESV
Rich Forbes