09/30/2021
We are transformed by our faith, and become new creatures in Christ, but this is not a change that is completed the instant we first believe. We do experience a sudden change that is truly amazing, but then the longer process of refinement begins as day by day we are led to perfect ourselves further. Over the course of our relationship with God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit, we are shown the more subtle fleshy faults in ourselves, faults that we must pray about, and lean on God, as His children, for help in removing.
“For if you live according to the flesh you will die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God.”
Romans 8:13-14 ESV
When it comes to cleaning our house I am like most men, I am what’s called a “straightener”. When told to, I can pick up my clothes from the floor and throw them in the hamper, make up the bed, wipe down the countertops with a damp rag, and… well you get the picture; I “straighten up”. I do the superficial things that make the house appear to be clean, and then retreat to the couch to watch football. However, my wife is a perfectionist when it comes to cleaning, and she works hard at it. She sweeps and mops every floor, actually empties the canister in the vacuum cleaner, uses a cleaner on the countertops, can properly wash our clothes using not only the normal setting, but the hot, warm, and delicate cycles as well. She is amazing, and despite all my “straightening”, she sees me as pretty much a slob! Seriously, she is incredible, and over the years she has helped to perfect my house cleaning ability… despite my reluctant nature.
“You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.”
Matthew 5:48 ESV
I was being humorous (kind of), but this is much the way we should look at how we come to know Jesus, and God. When we first believe… our lives are “straightened up”, or perfected in Christ, but afterwards comes the years of deep cleaning, the more subtle refinements in us that further perfect this house, the temple of the Holy Spirit, that we call ourselves, and this requires the expert guidance of God, Jesus, and the Spirit to accomplish. After years on our knees, we will still be learning how to address the finer aspects of faith… we become new the moment we first believe, but then the sanctification starts, and much to our dismay we will occasionally find that some of these residual changes are still quite large.
“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 12:2 ESV
So after our initial change or transformation, the process of sanctification begins in earnest, and we enter into the daily lessons and tasks of faith that will purify us, make us righteous, and will one day set us apart for God as we are made Holy. The “straightening” process that once seemed to be our perfection will then look to be incomplete as we examine our lives and see how spotless they have become.
“The apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith!” And the Lord said, “If you had faith like a grain of mustard seed, you could say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be uprooted and planted in the sea,’ and it would obey you.”
Luke 17:5-6 ESV
The question we should be asking ourselves each day is whether we are satisfied with the initial decluttering of our lives, or if we are continuing to seek the Lord, and striving to further perfect our faith. Are we continuing to follow Jesus, and the Holy Spirit as we pursue holiness, and are we longing for a deeper relationship with God?
“You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.”
Matthew 5:48 ESV
Let’s concentrate, snd pray on this today!
Prayer:
Father, thank you for the immediate transformation we undergo when we first believe, but thank you more for every daily lessons we learn as our faith increases, and we are perfected. Holy, Holy, Holy, are you our God who perfects us as you make us more in your image with each passing day. We praise your name Father for every sin, and temptation, that you reveal in us, and for how your Holy Spirit helps us to correct it. Merciful are you for sending your son Jesus to redeem us Lord. Strong is your arm that defends us, and amazing your grace that makes our sanctification and holiness possible. Wash us clean in the blood of Jesus, transform us in that instant, and then lead us into sanctification until at last we are called Holy, and the eternal Sons and daughters of God.
“But when one turns to the Lord, the veil is removed. Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. 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 3:16-18 ESV
Rich Forbes