Real Transformation

And we all, with unveiled face, 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, ESV)



As I work on my novel, The Way of Grace,
a story about a goody-two-shoes perfectionist who comes face to face
with God's grace, I'm reminded of the fact that authentic Christianity
has nothing to do with being good.



In fact, the more we try to be
good on our own effort, the less Christlike we become. Why? Because
we're in effect trying to earn something that has been given freely. And by
trying to earn this God-gift we bring to no account the work of God
through the sacrifice of Christ.



How foolish we are to try from
the outside-in to accomplish something that can only be done by God from
the inside-out! Call it self-improvement, self-help, or self-whatever,
it's a pervasive and deadly threat to Christianity sent straight from
Satan and the world we live in. I've said it before and I'll say it
again: There's NOTHING we can do to be good enough and to merit our
eternal salvation!



The apostle Paul expressed it perfectly. I realize that I don't have what it takes. I can will it, but I can't do
it. I decide to do good, but I don't really do it; I decide not to do
bad, but then I do it anyway. My decisions, such as they are, don't
result in actions. Something has gone wrong deep within me and gets the
better of me every time. (Romans 7, MSG)



How encouraging it
is to this old sinner to realize that others struggle (including the
apostle Paul!) with being good. But praise God, the story doesn't end on
a negative note. God is in the business of transforming those of us who
belong to Him. Being like Jesus and following in His steps won't be
accomplished through our puny efforts to be good, but only by abiding in
Him and allowing Him to transform us.



Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! (2 Corinthians 5:17, NIV)



I
am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him,
he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.
(John 15:5, ESV)



Father, thank You that You are
in the business of changing us from the inside-out--taking this old
caterpillar and transforming her into a glorious butterfly--taking this
sin-stained life and changing me from glory to glory. Forgive me for my
futile attempts to change myself through human effort. Thank You that
Your grace is more than enough to accomplish the transformation--making
me all that I long to be for You. When I'm tempted to rely on self-help
and self-improvement to bring about the lasting change I desire, remind
me that my only task is to stay connected to You. Amen.