From Sinning to Transforming
Scripture Reading — Romans 5:12-19
All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God ... Be transformed by the renewing of your mind.
Rom. 3:23; 12:2
There?s a huge gap between recognizing you are helpless before God and knowing how to serve God perfectly. It?s the difference between fatal spiritual illness and the life you?ve always wanted to live.
All of us live daily somewhere within that gap. We know we fall short of God?s glory, and yet, by the mercies and power of God, we can take steps to be transformed in our very being. We are on a journey that is changing our lives gradually, steadily.
For example, maybe once you had an uncontrollable temper. Now you manage mostly not to blow up at your spouse, children, parents, boss, or employee. When you do get angry, you immediately apologize and go for several days or even weeks before flaring up again.
If you experience things like that, you are following Christ. Some days you see him clearly. Other days you trip, stumble, and fall?but you know Christ lifts you up and cleans you off again.
You are being spiritually transformed, gradually transforming like a caterpillar into a butterfly. You?re becoming a disciple of Jesus.
Disciples need disciplines. This month we will focus on transforming by learning how Jesus lived a disciplined life so that his people?individuals and communities?can live that way also.
Lead us, guide us, along the way, for if you lead us, we cannot stray. Lord, let us walk each day with you; lead us our whole life through. In the grace of Christ, Amen.
About the author — James and Rose Dekker
James C. Dekker is the pastor of Covenant Christian Reformed Church in St. Catharines, Ontario. Previously he served other congregations in Alberta and Ontario. Rose Dekker serves as a refugee coordinator for the Christian Reformed World Relief Committee in Canada. She also serves as a certified spiritual director. The Dekkers were missionaries for nine years with Christian Reformed World Missions, serving in Costa Rica, Guatemala, Venezuela, and Cuba.
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