Too Good to Change?

Paul in writing to the Roman church was wanting to help them realize their righteousness was real, but it came from God and not from them. We are SINNERS saved by GRACE. Always keep that in mind if you think you are better than others in living your life. John helps keep this in focus in 1 John 1: 8 If we claim we have no sin, we are only fooling ourselves and not living in the truth. 9 But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness. 10 If we claim we have not sinned, we are calling God a liar and showing that his word has no place in our hearts. I want to "feel" good about how "good" I am living my life but that can cause me to begin to believe in myself and the end result is drifting away from the ability to connect with God at the level I should be connecting. That level is the realization I am nothing without the forgiveness and grace of God.

It is very important for a person to realize they are lost without God and then believe on the Lord Jesus Christ for this salvation and the Good New speaks to this very truth. Romans 1:17 For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written: “But the righteous one will live by faith.” If we live by faith in ourselves we live according to the failings of the flesh no matter how good we think we are and that life will always sprout bad habits that God wants to expel from our lives. Like Christian conceit, Christian cliques, and many other "worldly" attitudes that are not from the Holy Spirit. If we deny the Holy Spirit full access to our thinking and our life course, then worldlness will be the result, and the thought that "I am a Christian" will give us excuses for continuing in that life.

The way that God's righteousness grows in our lifestyle is dependent on how we look at that righteousness. Some will do what we call "abusing grace" and continue to let sin rule and then they rely on God's grace to keep them afloat. Of course, it is dangerous to mock God in such a way and the end result will not be good. On the other hand, God's grace is so complete those people can still realize the power of that grace at the onset of such mockery. There is another way to realize God's grace and grow in that grace as we become truly more holy in our living. Peter gives a strong challenge to live this holy life and be ready to fight the good fight in doing so. 1 Peter 1:13 Therefore, prepare your minds for action, keep sober in spirit, set your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. 14 As obedient children, do not be conformed to the former lusts which were yours in your ignorance, 15 but like the Holy One who called you, be holy yourselves also in all your behavior;16 because it is written: “You shall be holy, for I am holy.”

When we set our hope completely on the grace of God we are throwing our abilities and our goodness out the door and accepting His Spirit and the result is a changed life that grows in a more holy way. Santification buries deep in our soul and our "want tos" change at the soul level. We realize how weak we are and fall into the strength of God. It is another time of pure surrender that is life changing and complete and it is all because of God's grace and not our "goodness." Our goodness is not the goal, but in reality when we surrender every part of our heart to God and ask Him to change us at the deep level, He will inject His righteousness into our life. Pride will come and try to talk us out of living that life, but we need deaf ears to that religious call to just be "good." In reality we are letting pride run our lives and we say we are better than most and our kids are the most behaved, so all the boxes are checked. But are they?

Are you too good to change? If you are, it is time to get base level with God and repent and accept the change in areas you have been avoiding. This is a story shared by Gipsy Smith of a true event. When I was in South Africa, a fine, handsome Dutchman came into my service, and God laid His hand on him and convicted him of sin.  The next morning he went to the beautiful home of another Dutchman and said to him, "Do you recognize that old watch?" "Why, yes," answered the other. "Those are my initials; that is my watch. I lost it eight years ago. How did you get it, and how long have you had it?" "I stole it," was the reply. "What made you bring it back now?""I was converted last night," was the answer, "and I have brought it back first thing this morning. If you had been up, I would have brought it last night." 

Sometimes God drags us through the mud of embarrassment to get close to us and draw us to Him. His righteousness makes all of this happen, but our faith is needed to experience it. Just give up and give in to Him and His righteousness and repent and all is made new. You are never "Too Good to Change!"

Today's Message,

David Warren