The true power of
Christianity lies in this ability to transform thoughts and motivation from
within more than the ability to change behavior. An addict will tell you there
is a huge difference between abstinence and loss of desire. God says, “Thou shalt not…” but He does not leave
it at that. He supplies the power to produce “I no longer want to…” A Spirit
driven life replaces a life of trying to “be
as gods”. Rid of the natural
inclination to deify “me”, the Christian is free to live godly in this present
age. The death of the natural, carnal mind of man is absolutely necessary for
Christianity. “Because the carnal mind is
enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can
be.” Likewise the road to growth is based on thoughts and intentions of the
heart. “And be not conformed to this
world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove
what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.”
There is a temptation
when measuring Christianity to stop short; to say I’ve reached the perfect
balance of me and God. That the remaining areas of life are those with which
God is unconcerned “Wherefore let him
that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.” God is concerned with
everything that touches a Christian’s life and every thought a Christian
thinks.
In the past there was
undue emphasis on Christian appearance and apparel. Dress does not determine
standing with God. However, it is a mistake to think God is unconcerned about
our manner of dress and to shut Him out. Honest inquiry of the Holy Spirit will
reveal God has an intense interest in personal appearance. To do whatsoever you
want is never the plan of God. “This
wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish.”
Christians find life
and godliness by forsaking their claim to both. They do this, not to abdicate
personal responsibility, but to fulfill their desire serve the King and follow
His command.
“Thou
shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with
all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like
unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. On these two commandments
hang all the law and the prophets.
Christianity rests on
the same command. Heartfelt obedience to the command grows into a love so
encompassing that self-will dissolves and God, who is love, fills the heart. What
remains is Man as God created him. Christians may appear less than they should
be because this does not happen overnight, but over a lifetime. If a life
surrendered to God is not a man’s intention; it doesn’t happen at all.
Self preservation is
a powerful drive in the natural man. But, like any natural instinct, carried to
extremes it is his ruin. Jesus citing the same principle as John told His
disciples: “Whosoever shall seek to save
his life shall lose it; and whosoever shall lose his life shall preserve it.”
Since Adam reached for the fruit that would make him as god, men have been
seeking to be the strongest, mightiest, tallest, and fastest—to be more than he
is and more than his fellows. Christianity denies men nothing. It points men in
the right direction. A man filled with the Spirit of God is more than eye has
seen or ear has heard.
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