For years I’d find myself in a circumstance that evoked an attitude I didn’t want to have — one of judgment, frustration and irritation. But this time was different. My thoughts were different. I felt differently. I wasn’t judging and there was no frustration or irritation. This time there was love, peace and release — a release of people from having to please me. I sat there completely stunned and thought to myself: “Who are you? I don’t think I know you.” Then I sensed God say: “This is the woman I know you to be.”
It’s such a process — this becoming like Jesus, being transformed into His likeness. At times I’m on a steady pace forward; other times it feels as if I’m moving backwards. I’m guessing we all feel this way. And if you’re someone whose mind tends to run a litany of everything you’re “not,” I completely understand. Yet in times like this one, I’m reminded that God made a better way, a way we can access every day:
“I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh.” (Ezekiel 36:26).
This is the profound reality of Christ in us. God gave us a new heart when He put His Spirit in us. Now, God longs to take our sin hardened places and replace them with His heart. It’s one of His greatest miracles. In fact, God is at work far more than most of us realize. Even our desire to obey is from God. The above passage continues:
“And I will put My Spirit in you and move you to follow My decrees and be careful to keep My laws” (Ezekiel 36:27).
Your desire to live like Jesus is from God.
Your ability to live like Jesus is also from God.
The One who gave you a new heart and put His Spirit in you is also the One who works out the change in you. This is the power of God’s grace. Your role is to believe because God’s grace is released through your faith (Romans 4:16).
“Faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see” (Hebrews 11:1).
When we’re convinced that something is ours, we go after it. If it’s important to us, we’ll fight for it; we’ll be undaunted and relentless until we get it. So why not go after the God-like character He proclaims is ours in the same way?
Press in to what God says is true:
“We do not want you to become lazy, but to imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised” (Hebrews 6:12).
Keep reading, meditating on and speaking over yourself what the Word of God says about you.
Keep asking.
Keep claiming.
Keep believing.
Practice Way #44 of 52 Ways to Glorify God:
Persevere in the fight for faith.
When I do this, breakthrough happens. And when breakthrough happens, I am brought to my knees — literally and figuratively. It’s one of the greatest joys we can experience as children of God. For who else has the privilege to experience the transformational power of the life of Christ living in them?
Other posts you may find helpful:
http://146.66.103.219/~judybmil/the-truest-thing-about-you/
http://146.66.103.219/~judybmil/the-way-of-rest-2/
http://146.66.103.219/~judybmil/what-to-do-when-you-feel-like-a-mess/
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