Our study of God’s definition of the word love in our recent study of 1 Corinthians 13 has produced some serious thinking for some of us — always a good thing! No doubt hearing God’s definition reveals our own failures and weaknesses as people who want to be like Christ, but who often don’t seem able to live it. The worst way we can deal with this is to think “I can’t live this” and go on as we have.
How does a Christian change? God does work in us for change, but He tells us what our part must be. Change is a cooperative venture. Eternal life is a gift, but a changed life is something we participate in. We are not alone in this, however. We have both the Spirit of God and the tools God has given us. Ever try to build something substantial without tools? It can be done, perhaps, but the structure will probably look shabby and be shaky. Don’t build your spiritual life with your bare hands (your flesh). Use God’s tools.
There is nothing magic about the tools of change. It’s all about applying ourselves to the spiritual disciplines. Sound scary? It isn’t. All it means is taking the time to employ God’s tools in building your faith and character. What are the tools?
Tools of Change:
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Not so much praying to change as much as personally honoring God with your speech (praise and thanksgiving), confessing known sins, and praying for the needs of others (that’s love). Praise, repentance and prayer for others changes us (Eph 6:18, Phil 4:4-7, 1 John 1:8-9). |
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You must have regular devotional time with the Bible (written or spoken). Learn doctrine, yes, but always make application to your own life. Read what the Word says about itself and you will know its power to change (2 Tim 3:15-16, Hebrews 4:12, Eph 6:17). |
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Get up and serve Christ. Serve people, serve the church. Don’t serve grudgingly, |
Nothing new about those tools, is there? But we must pick them up and use them. Some people have nice tool racks to display the tools, and tool belts to have them near…but they don’t use them! People will not grow who will not pray, apply the Word, or serve. It is that simple. It is actually quite natural for Christians to love. It is something we understand in the depth of our being if we know the Gospel and God’s love for us. We simply need to put away the hindrances to love by walking with Christ every day. To do that, use the tools God gave you.
Yours in Christ
Originally printed in The AFBC Pony Express. Vol. IV, No. 8, August 2011.