Inside Out

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          A general misconception among non-Christians and new Christians is that when you become a Christian, you have to change your way of life. Taking into consideration things we've heard all our life that a 'good Christian' doesn't do, we strive to discipline ourselves to conform to the ideal of a good Christian. In time, we general have a decent amount of success. Whether it be drinking, smoking, cussing, unfriendliness, bad influences, or any number of things, if we discipline ourselves, we are able to make our outward appearance more 'holy.'
           However, the fact of the matter is, that this isn't what we're called to do. The Bible never says "When you believe in Jesus, discipline yourself to look more like Him." What it actually says is "And we all, with unveiled faces, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit." (2 Corinthians 3:18) Romans 12 calls us to be transformed by the renewing of our minds. Yes, we're called to be transformed into the image of Christ, but not by our own power, our own works. It is through a relationship with Jesus, knowledge of who God is, and realization of how unworthy of Him we truly are that He transforms us to His image. In our vain human efforts, we can never change ourselves, except for the outward appearance. God changes our hearts and minds, which changes our outward appearance. 1 Samuel 16:7 says "Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart." So quit trying to make yourself look better and look to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith.
        In my own life, I've come to realize that I have a tendency to simply change my actions. If you looked at my mind and my heart, you'd see how dirty I truly am, how much I need Jesus. People don't see that however, and they thing that I'm 'A pretty good person.' I have, however, gotten to the point where Jesus is changing not only my actions but my heart and mind, and now I know what I was missing all those years. I didn't realize the extent of God's grace that He doesn't even ask you to attempt to change yourself. I tried to look good, not be good. This is why there are so many in the church who appear to be Christians because they make themselves look good, but don't know Jesus. What we all really need to revolutionize our lives is to allow Jesus to transform our hearts and minds through a relationship with Him.
        In conclusion, we're called to be good people love Jesus.
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
and lead not on your own understanding.
In all your ways acknowledge Him,
And He will direct your paths."
~Proverbs 3:5-6


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