" Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is- His good, pleasing and perfect will."[Romans 12:2]
Knowing that we have to aspire, is not enough for a Christian. A formation has to take place. Formation denotes, a process of being made.
As we grow in our life in Christ, a transformation has to happen . We are to be formed according to the divine plan, to be like Jesus . This plan that God has for each of us is nothing but the best. To follow the example of Jesus, is the best way to conform to God's plan for us, as He was the only perfect one led by the Holy spirit.
" I have given you an example and you should do as I have done to you" [John13:5] said Jesus to his disciples after He washed their feet. It is an example of humility and servant hood. Such a character should be formed in us.
No doubt it is easily said than done. It is not easy to be holy in every thing we do in this present society we live in. We will be ridiculed and avoided as unsociable prigs. Fearing this sometimes makes us compromise with the world. This hinders our being like Jesus.
When Jesus asks us to do something, He enables us and supplies His grace in abundance. It is the holy Spirit that helps us in this process. " We all with an open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the spirit of the Lord."[2nd Cor.3:18]
Apostle Peter says the same thing in the following manner. "As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance, but as He who has called is holy, you be holy in all manner of conversation" [1stPeter1:14,15] [Conversation means our daily dealings.]
This is the transformation that has to take place in each one of us. How ever ugly our nature may be, God is able to make it holy and beautiful like His if we submit to Him. He will renew our minds and make us know His perfect will.
May the holy Spirit transform us to be like Jesus.
Showing posts with label Humility. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Humility. Show all posts
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Saturday, June 14, 2008
Love Knows When to Speak
The trial scene of Jesus before the Sanhedrin, spoke to me of the love of Jesus for everyone. [Mark14:55-65]
There were many false witnesses against Him: The truth that He preached was misrepresented [v. 58], yet Jesus kept silent. Why didn't he speak out and explain what he meant or call one of those whom he healed or followed him, as witnesses? He could have explained that the temple he referred was not the building but his body [v. 58]. It was because his motive was to save all, even those who were against him and jealous of him.
Yet later He answered the high priest's question! I wondered why.
Not answering the fabricated accusations was wiser than trying to clarify them. But if Jesus had refrained from answering the question: "Are you the Christ the son of the blessed?" [v61], it would have been taken as denial of his mission. Jesus not only answered, "I am.", He also predicted a reversal of his role, that one day, He will be judging the world! Yes that day is fast approaching! All of us are waiting for that day... [Rev.20:11-13]
Jesus had the divine wisdom to know when to answer and when not to. His silence for the first time, not exposing the false witnesses who sinned, not knowing what they were doing, would have spoken to them and brought them to repentance later.
His answering the second time established the fact that He was Christ the son of God, the saviour of the world. The answer infuriated the pharisees to condemn him to death, which fulfilled the purpose for which he came to earth.
Our speech or silence should be motivated by love for God and others, regardless of the consequences we may have to face. When we are confronted or falsely accused, to think only of a of a way of escape will be selfish. We should decide whether we want to be popular with man or God.
There were many false witnesses against Him: The truth that He preached was misrepresented [v. 58], yet Jesus kept silent. Why didn't he speak out and explain what he meant or call one of those whom he healed or followed him, as witnesses? He could have explained that the temple he referred was not the building but his body [v. 58]. It was because his motive was to save all, even those who were against him and jealous of him.
Yet later He answered the high priest's question! I wondered why.
Not answering the fabricated accusations was wiser than trying to clarify them. But if Jesus had refrained from answering the question: "Are you the Christ the son of the blessed?" [v61], it would have been taken as denial of his mission. Jesus not only answered, "I am.", He also predicted a reversal of his role, that one day, He will be judging the world! Yes that day is fast approaching! All of us are waiting for that day... [Rev.20:11-13]
Jesus had the divine wisdom to know when to answer and when not to. His silence for the first time, not exposing the false witnesses who sinned, not knowing what they were doing, would have spoken to them and brought them to repentance later.
His answering the second time established the fact that He was Christ the son of God, the saviour of the world. The answer infuriated the pharisees to condemn him to death, which fulfilled the purpose for which he came to earth.
Our speech or silence should be motivated by love for God and others, regardless of the consequences we may have to face. When we are confronted or falsely accused, to think only of a of a way of escape will be selfish. We should decide whether we want to be popular with man or God.
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
Weighed And Found Wanting
"Weighed and found wanting" is a sad and hopeless pronouncement to be heard from heaven.
Belshazzar, the king of Babylon lacked nothing. He had health, wealth and happiness. While having a great feast, he forgot the creator God and praised the gods of gold, silver, bronze, iron, wood and stone. Suddenly, he was terrified to see the fingers of a human hand appear and write something on a wall. None of the sooth sayers could explain it. Only Daniel, who served the living God, was able to read and give the meaning of the writing. [Daniel 5:1-10]
"Mene, mene, Tekel, Parsin.", were the words of the writing. Daniel read them and gave the meaning: He said, God has numbered the days of your reign and brought it to an end; you have been weighed on the scale and found wanting; Your kingdom is divided and given to the Medes and Persians.
Those things did happen. It was because he forgot to humble himself and give glory to the living God, who had done a great miracle in his family. Knowing God's greatness, he did not honor Him.
I pondered over the words, "Weighed and found wanting". We are also weighed by the same God all the time. The standard weight on the scale is Jesus. Any other will be counted as false weight and will not be accepted.
We are called to reach the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ. [Ephesians 4:13]
As the measuring is done some things have to be taken off and some must be added.
All the necessary instructions are given in God's word. If we take heed and observe them, we will hear the praise, "well done", instead of "found wanting".
I lifted a simple prayer: "Lord teach me your ways and help me obey."
Belshazzar, the king of Babylon lacked nothing. He had health, wealth and happiness. While having a great feast, he forgot the creator God and praised the gods of gold, silver, bronze, iron, wood and stone. Suddenly, he was terrified to see the fingers of a human hand appear and write something on a wall. None of the sooth sayers could explain it. Only Daniel, who served the living God, was able to read and give the meaning of the writing. [Daniel 5:1-10]
"Mene, mene, Tekel, Parsin.", were the words of the writing. Daniel read them and gave the meaning: He said, God has numbered the days of your reign and brought it to an end; you have been weighed on the scale and found wanting; Your kingdom is divided and given to the Medes and Persians.
Those things did happen. It was because he forgot to humble himself and give glory to the living God, who had done a great miracle in his family. Knowing God's greatness, he did not honor Him.
I pondered over the words, "Weighed and found wanting". We are also weighed by the same God all the time. The standard weight on the scale is Jesus. Any other will be counted as false weight and will not be accepted.
We are called to reach the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ. [Ephesians 4:13]
As the measuring is done some things have to be taken off and some must be added.
All the necessary instructions are given in God's word. If we take heed and observe them, we will hear the praise, "well done", instead of "found wanting".
I lifted a simple prayer: "Lord teach me your ways and help me obey."
Monday, April 21, 2008
Dancing in True Worship
We had a beautiful service on Sunday with songs, lifting up of hands, rejoicing and dancing, which was Biblical [Ps149:3; 150:4; Ex.15:20; 11Sam.6:14]. While most of the people were dancing, there were a few who were quietly praising and singing, even raising their hands but not dancing. I was one of them.
Why did the few not join in the dancing? Were they shy? Or think it was unholy? A cultural difference perhaps? As for me, I am not used to dancing. In my days and culture, dancing was not part of worship. I was also wondering if all those who danced so joyfully, were doing it in the spirit: In every party they dance. Dancing is part of the culture of Canada and the west. Was their worship genuine? In the presence of God, the attitude should be Holy. The critical thoughts of those who refrained from dancing may have polluted the Holy atmosphere and the presence of God would have been hindered! There would not have been perfect unity in the worship! Somehow the enemy wants to spoil the true worship of our great God!
The Lord led me to read Psalms 95 the next morning. It was a call to worship. The last verse speaks of hardening of the heart. A hardened heart will be a thankless, complaining heart. It will not be able to worship the Holy God. The Lord loves genuine, holy, joyful, worship from humble hearts.
Our heart could become hardened because of unanswered prayer, pride, criticism, stubbornness, ungratefulness and a lack of humility. Hardening the heart is dangerous. We will not be able to enter into the rest. [Heb.3:13] I recalled the warning given in Hebrews 4:4-11.
I prayed that whichever way we worship, help us to be genuine in seeking the presence of the Holy God in humility and be blessed by Him to be a blessing to others.
Why did the few not join in the dancing? Were they shy? Or think it was unholy? A cultural difference perhaps? As for me, I am not used to dancing. In my days and culture, dancing was not part of worship. I was also wondering if all those who danced so joyfully, were doing it in the spirit: In every party they dance. Dancing is part of the culture of Canada and the west. Was their worship genuine? In the presence of God, the attitude should be Holy. The critical thoughts of those who refrained from dancing may have polluted the Holy atmosphere and the presence of God would have been hindered! There would not have been perfect unity in the worship! Somehow the enemy wants to spoil the true worship of our great God!
The Lord led me to read Psalms 95 the next morning. It was a call to worship. The last verse speaks of hardening of the heart. A hardened heart will be a thankless, complaining heart. It will not be able to worship the Holy God. The Lord loves genuine, holy, joyful, worship from humble hearts.
Our heart could become hardened because of unanswered prayer, pride, criticism, stubbornness, ungratefulness and a lack of humility. Hardening the heart is dangerous. We will not be able to enter into the rest. [Heb.3:13] I recalled the warning given in Hebrews 4:4-11.
I prayed that whichever way we worship, help us to be genuine in seeking the presence of the Holy God in humility and be blessed by Him to be a blessing to others.
Monday, March 10, 2008
God's Tool Box
I saw people being used of God. People coming to the Lord. I wished to be like them, an instrument, in God's hand. But I didn't feel fit enough till I read 1st Corinthians 1:27-29 which gave me the needed answer.
"God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise, the weak things of the world to shame the strong. He chose the lowly things of the world, the despised things- and the things that are not, to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before him."
I realized to my relief that no amount of human knowledge can replace the work on the cross. If Christ could be accessible only to the highly educated and intellectually gifted then the ordinary people like me will be left out. He wants every one to be saved and be used to promote his kingdom.
Humility and Faith are the most essential qualities needed to be used of God. Faith in the words and works of Jesus; Humility to accept Him and be submitted to Him. It calls for total surrender into the loving hands of the one who knows me and my weaknesses.
I remembered a proverb my mother used to say: "In the hands of the mighty, even a blade of grass would be a useful instrument"
I whispered a prayer: "I surrender myself to you Lord"
"God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise, the weak things of the world to shame the strong. He chose the lowly things of the world, the despised things- and the things that are not, to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before him."
I realized to my relief that no amount of human knowledge can replace the work on the cross. If Christ could be accessible only to the highly educated and intellectually gifted then the ordinary people like me will be left out. He wants every one to be saved and be used to promote his kingdom.
Humility and Faith are the most essential qualities needed to be used of God. Faith in the words and works of Jesus; Humility to accept Him and be submitted to Him. It calls for total surrender into the loving hands of the one who knows me and my weaknesses.
I remembered a proverb my mother used to say: "In the hands of the mighty, even a blade of grass would be a useful instrument"
I whispered a prayer: "I surrender myself to you Lord"
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