What Stops the Transformed Life?

How to Stay in Tune with the Spirit

Photo by Melissa Askew on Unsplash

Long ago God created us in His image so we may be a holy people and love as He does. That’s why it makes no sense to speak of love arising out of obedience to law, for to love is to love by freely making that choice. And, as any diligent law-keeper will tell you: it’s an impossible task to be perfect. Not only is our great calling to prove God’s perfect will by our lives, it’s also our deepest desire to freely and perfectly live in holiness and love.

By faith in Jesus, we can “escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.”  It’s done like putting on new clothes, says Paul, in Romans 13:14. How easy is that?

No, not so simple!  The results are in: We are failing badly at this. Just look at all those awful examples in other churches. 😊 What we lack, firstly, is believing that grand vision of what a transformed life ought to look like, which I have addressed in previous posts.

The next hurdle is having a firm intention to become like Jesus. That means we need to accept that it takes personal effort which facilitates God’s grace to make it happen, and that effort must be top priority in your life. The final step is to apply the means at our disposal: to do what we can and must do – that’s our part.

We will be transformed when we have trained our minds to lovingly attend to God’s presence at all times. Thus, what we attend to and where we give our time and energy, is the stuff of spiritual growth. Be on guard, therefore, to the addictions and joys of this earthly life that distract your attention and love for God. If the heart attends to the things of the world, as the scripture says in 1 John 2:15: “the desire of the flesh, the desire of the eyes, and the boasting of what one has and does” we become attached to them, and so remain enslaved to them. We forget what we have been forgiven and delivered from.

The blessings of God – such as fun leisure activities, great food, fashionable clothing and a comfortable modern home are not evil any more than money itself is evil. It’s all about where our treasure is, where our hearts are at. But don’t think “we’re only human” that can’t change; we are new creatures with a heart that can only be fully satisfied in God. We must believe in that grand vision. So, if you’re struggling with that, be assured that your faith “overcomes the world”; it’s a struggle we can expect to win. The promise of an “abundant life” is in the offering. 

Both Jesus and Paul well explained that it is self-indulgence that “has to go” for the truly good, loving, godly self to emerge.  To let them go can seem like “death”; hence Jesus’ metaphor of dying like a seed.  But the earthly desires of one’s heart, however deeply felt, are not truly natural; they are learned. It’s not who you really are. It’s your false self!

That is why the heroes of our faith spoke of “detachment” from the world. This is not about living an austere existence or wallowing in poverty. Be detached and enjoy God’s abundance that comes your way. Work out with fear and trembling with God what you may have to limit or cut out of your life. Make sure your heart is set on nothing in this world. Surrender all and see what remains. This is the only way to the transformed life.

So, consider what is the source that drives you to distraction.  Why are you so busy that you can’t give your loving attention to God? Is it what your eyes see is good, what your body craves, what you can boast about having or having done? That’s the stuff that must go. Don’t worry, it’s not what really satisfies.

I say again, if you believe that all you are doing is hanging on to a few simple, reasonable, modest joys of the world that you feel entitled to, that God has no qualms about, think again. Yes, at first it is a challenge. It is quite counter-cultural, even in Christian circles, but it is not beyond you.

To become detached from the love of the world brings true freedom. When you become free to “seek first the Kingdom of God” you will see your life transformed into the child of God you were made to be. You will be free to abide in love. And he who abides in love, abides in God. 

Reflect: Do you feel entitled to good things in your world that you don’t want God to interfere with? Can you surrender all things in your life to be directed by God?

Prayer: Heavenly Father, I believe my true self is to be holy and loving, happy to prioritize the opportunities to bring your Kingdom to my world.  Help me let go of all my so-called expectations and my “good” selfish desires, believing that you will provide and care for me in a very loving way if I give them up. 

Journal: What things in life might God be calling upon you to surrender? What is your response to that. What is your confidence level that your heavenly Father will provide all goods things for you in line with His will for your life?