Allow God to Make the Change
Last night as I fell asleep I was thinking of the many ways that I have failed in life. I know immediately there will be some that say “Don’t even put those things in your head” or just plainly “Those things are in the past, let the past be the past.” But here was the reason for this, I was laying there praying as I fell asleep (I often do this). Sara will tell you it is about thirty seconds of prayer since I fall asleep fast, but what I was doing was in fact helpful. You see, I am no longer who I was, I am thankful for who I am. You see the old Zach would get irritable and it would last days, no really days! Now I get irritable and to my beautiful bride it lasts forever I am sure, but in reality it lasts a very short time.
This is where I was last night in my thought process.
1. Who is getting the glory for that change?
2. Is God done with me?
You see I wasn’t dwelling on the fact that I am a sinner in need of God’s grace. I was pondering those two questions above. Is God getting the Glory in my life? Is our life a testimony to what God can do in a sinner’s life when we submit to His will for our life? My thoughts on this are that too often WE take the credit for the changes in our lives no matter what they are. Further do we actually mean it when we do give the glory to God? The apostle Paul tells us in Galatians 6:
“[11] See with what large letters I am writing to you with my own hand. [12] It is those who want to make a good showing in the flesh who would force you to be circumcised, and only in order that they may not be persecuted for the cross of Christ. [13] For even those who are circumcised do not themselves keep the law, but they desire to have you circumcised that they may boast in your flesh. [14] But far be it from me to boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. [15] For neither circumcision counts for anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creation. [16] And as for all who walk by this rule, peace and mercy be upon them, and upon the Israel of God.”
The question then is; are we boasting in our flesh or the cross? I pray for us all that we boast in the cross of our savior.
The second question is a fun one to think about, and last night I was pondering something I have told myself and others before. Either you are moving towards Christ through your submission, or you are moving away from Christ in your transgression. There is no in between or plateau in our walk with Christ. There will be days that we stumble and fall, but it is how we react in that moment that determines the outcome. It is a heart condition, not behavior modification. My example from earlier is a great example. My sinful desire is to overreact to situations that change, and before it would take days for me to adjust back to normal.
Paul says in Philippians 1 :
“[6] And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.”
You see we are on a journey; we are in a race that is not complete until either Christ comes back or we are done on this earth. Either way we have to pursue Christ and righteousness, because our actions, our fruit will tell everyone around us if we are truly allowing God to make the change or if we are just modifying our own behavior. I pray for us all that it is what comes out of us that shows the world that we are a believer in Jesus Christ.
Amen
P Zach
