There is a missing element in the conversation
regarding spiritual transformation in many evangelical circles. There is
rightly a conversation taking place about the need to move from behavior
modification where people modify behaviors to fit into their evangelical
sub-culture (whatever it is) to true inner life transformation.
In the first case life change is at the behavioral
level. In the second case it is from the inside out: Hearts that understand and
live in grace, minds that seek to think like Jesus, lives that are brought in
line with God’s priorities and relationships that reflect the love of Jesus.
For too long the church has settled for behavior modification instead of inner
transformation. This is a very important conversation.
There is, however, a second part of the
transformation process that needs equal attention. It involves the purpose of
transformation. Here is something to think about: when our focus on
transformation is only personal and about us it is a selfish and incomplete
transformation that diminishes God’s ultimate purpose for our lives.
Now I fully understand that heart transformation is
the entrance into God’s kingdom and family and where we experience the
forgiveness of sin and a new standing in God’s sight. This is the message of
John 3:16. What this does not address is the purpose of that transformation: we
are reconciled to God in Christ (giving us all the blessings of life in Jesus
for eternity) in order to join God in His work of reconciliation in our world
(2 Corinthians 5:11-21).
Many of God’s people do not understand God’s Meta
story! Our involvement in His Meta story is what brings our lives its greatest
meaning!
That Meta story started in the garden where God
created the world as He meant it to be: a creation at peace with itself and men
and women in perfect relationship with God. That perfection was ruined by sin
bringing with it the dehumanization of those made in His image. Into our world
came sin, separation from God, relational disconnect, disease, death, sorrow,
selfishness, war, injustice, fear, and all the results of sin.
From the moment of the fall, however, God put into
place a divine rescue operation (Genesis 3:15) which culminated in the
incarnation, life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ and the inauguration
of His Kingdom. His intent was and is to bring redemption to a broken world,
redeeming what was made bad with the culmination coming at His return.
That redemption starts with hearts that are
transformed but He then calls His people to join Him in His work of bringing
His Kingdom to earth (Your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in
heaven – Matthew 6:10).
This includes feeding the hungry, caring for the
marginalized, bringing justice where there is injustice (Isaiah 55, Micah 6:8),
caring for the orphan and widow and alien (Deuteronomy), bringing His Kingdom
values to all the places we inhabit and the people we know (Sermon on the Mount)
to name just a few examples.
This is the outcome of our heart transformation:
nothing less than the transformation of our communities, neighborhoods and
workplaces as God uses us to bring His love, truth, values, practices and
relationships to every corner of our lives.
Ephesians 2:8-10 sum this up very well. “For it is
by grace you have been saved, through faith – and this not from yourselves, it
is the gift of God – not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God’s
workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in
advance for us to do.”
The regeneration of our hearts is a complete gift
from God. But, don’t miss that we are God’s workmanship created in Christ Jesus
to do good works – joining God in bringing His love, truth, values, practices
and relationships to every corner of our lives. This is no individual pietistic
vision but a vision of God’s family intentionally impacting everything and
everyone around them. It is the gospel touching everything. It is
transformation of hearts that results in transformation of our communities as
we live out the life of Jesus.
The Meta story is about God’s plan to redeem what
sin destroyed. We are redeemed to join Him in that redemption story.
1 comment:
When you run into someone in a church it's hard to tell sometimes if they are simply acting different because they are giving Jesus a try for a while. Some folks go along under their own steam for a very long time. I dare say some never actually stop and get off the treadmill. Some seem to be doing fine for a while until a promotion or a new relationship temps them. I've met many religious people who literally hiss like a snake when the Spirit shines into life. Until you walked in they were completely content to earn their salvation on the installment plan. It is always refreshing to be around someone where the true inner transformation that God wrought in them permeates the air.
Post a Comment