Tuesday Transformation

Ephesians 4:17-32 has been kicking my tail this week. The transformation God wants to do within each of our lives is something that's impossible for us to accomplish in our own strength. One of the hardest things to come to grips with is when God's Word begins piercing your inner being in an attempt to remove the sense of being comfortable and content that's invaded your life. This is hard because you're humbled as you begin to see how much work is still left to be done within your life!

We often focus so much on not doing the BIG sins: getting drunk, stealing, murder, sexual immorality, etc. However, I'm discovering that while we definitely must avoid those decisions, it's the everyday core of who we are that must be surrendered to God. It's the day in and day out routine and character we display to our family, coworkers, and neighbors that must be transformed. I truly believe this is the key to unleashing the power of God in our lives and church. I'm praying, studying, and reading all I can to discover exactly how this can play out in our lives and church, but here's one thing I know for sure: We can't do it alone. The strength of God and the encouragement of others are essentials to this type of transformation.

I've been reading a book this week called "Search and Rescue." It focuses on being the person God wants you to be so you can help others to do the same. I know this sounds like a very simplistic and basic Christian truth, but I'm realizing how little it's actually practiced within the church and within my own life. Transformation doesn't begin on Sunday mornings or in a small group. Transformation begins as a result of each person making a commitment to read, hear, and apply God's Word, so that everything about them can be renewed. So, are you undergoing constant transformation or have you stopped allowing God's truth to impact your character, priorities, and actions? Perhaps we all need to ask God to cleanse us from our unwillingness to be transformed, so he can begin to equip and prepare us for greatness!

Here are two quotes from this book, which was written by Neil Cole...

"Often we encourage Bible reading, but without confession there isn't room within for the fresh and powerful Word of God to work."

"If we can't see our own lives changed by the power of the gospel, we have no right to expect to see the world changed by our message. If the gospel is not more important to us than life itself, the world will not be attracted to it. If they can't see that we value the gospel, why would we expect them to?"