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Life of Transformation
This last week I attended a days' conference
on Reconciliation and a Vineyard pastor from Joburg, Alexander
Venter, was talking a bit about stuff from the book he has written
called 'Doing Reconciliation' which is basically the Vineyard's
standpoint on the whole issue of Reconciliation and a really great
book sitting in my pile of 'books to read' and which I may attack
next. Anyways, Alexander Venter told us how he sent a copy of the
book to Dallas Willard who he knows (famous American pastor/writer
guy I think) who read it and sent back a short note to Alexander
basically saying, 'Good stuff, but when all is said and done it
is all about the transformation of human character into Christlikeness.'
And you know what? That's life, not just reconciliation!
What is the point of life? The meaning of life if you will?
"Now if the ministry that brought
death, which was engraved in letters on stone, came with glory,
so that the Israelites could not look steadily at the face of
Moses because of its glory, fading though it was, will not the
ministry of the Spirit be even more glorious? If the ministry
that condemns men is glorious, how much more glorious is the
ministry that brings righteousness! For what was glorious has
no glory now in comparison with the surpassing glory. And if
what was fading away came with glory, how much greater is the
glory of that which lasts!
Therefore, since we have such a hope, we are very bold. We are
not like Moses, who would put a veil over his face to keep the
Israelites from gazing at it while the radiance was fading away.
But their minds were made dull, for to this day the same veil remains
when the old covenant is read. It has not been removed, because
only in Christ is it taken away. Even to this day when Moses is
read, a veil covers their hearts. But whenever anyone turns to
the Lord, the veil is taken away.
Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where
the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. And we, who with
unveiled faces all reflect the Lord's glory, are being transformed
into His likeness with ever- increasing glory, which comes from
the Lord, who is the Spirit."
[2 Corinthians 3:7-18]
Paul says it a different way in 1 Corinthians
2:2 where he says, "For
I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ
and Him crucified."
In 1 John 2:6 it is stated as, "Whoever
claims to live in Him must walk as Jesus did."
And so on...
What is life meant to be about? The transformation of human character
into Christlikeness!
How do we do that? In daily relationship
as we spend time with God and "deny ourself, take up our cross daily and follow
Him" as He instructs us to do in Luke 9:23.
If you are not gradually starting to look more (in action) and
sound more (in word) and live more (in attitude) like Jesus, then
I would suggest there is stuff in your life that you need to address.
"Jesus replied, 'If anyone loves
Me, he will obey My teaching. My Father will love him, and We
will come to him and make Our home with him. He who does not
love Me will not obey My teaching. These words you hear are not
My own; they belong to the Father who sent Me.
All this I have spoken while still with
you. But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will
send in My name, will teach you all things and will remind you
of everything I have said to you. Peace I leave with you; My
peace I give you. I do not give as the world gives. Do not let
your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid." [John 14:23-27]
Quiet times... worship... Christian cds.... trying to live a good
life... telling your friends about Jesus... praying... reading
good Christian books... going to church... cell group... giving
some of your money to the church... supporting missionaries...
doing a year of your life team for God... going on a missions trip...
That stuff is all good and well, but at the end of the day is
my character being transformed into Christlikeness?
If not, what am I going to do about it? |
