For those who have experienced the power of the cross at least once in their lives, I have a question for you - Where is the power of the cross in your life? Realizing what Jesus did for me and you on the cross - He died for the forgiveness of our sins so that we can see our Father in heaven - has the power to transform our lives. But what if people around you say that there’s an indifference before and after you accepted Christ in your life? Well, that’s a really sad thought. It’s very hurtful to hear actually because you’re expecting a change in you and it’s not evident.
Spiritually renewed on Sundays after church services yet can’t open the Bible for the rest of the week? Are you one of those what they call ‘Sunday Christians?'
Or maybe you go to church and listen to the preaching yet you remain distracted about what you will eat after the service? Not focused on God even in His presence?
Or maybe you have decided to follow Jesus yet continue to do unlawful things - speaks defiled words, watches indecent shows, tells even the littlest of lies (a white lie is still a lie)? Disobedient?
Or maybe you spend hours on the internet then read the Bible for only a few minutes and wonder why God has been so silent?
Well, none of those will lead you to spiritual growth. If people say that there’s no evident change in your life then there must be something wrong.
I have learned that there are three types of change - reform, conform and transform. The first two are completely external and based on human efforts. While the last kind is internal and completely dependent on God. I believe God does everything to transform you. Sometimes He shows you His kindness that will lead to repentance. Other times He sends what you need in a package you don’t want like trials that actually helps you to grow in faith, have perseverance, and build your character (James 1:2-4). But as you see, for change to happen you must exert some effort. You have to do your part. You have to cooperate with God. It’s a teamwork between you and Him. I believe it’s the best group work ever.
God has already told you everything that you have to do. It’s all in the Bible. He will really remain silent if you don’t seek Him through His word. And even when He has already shown His kindness - which is found everywhere even your breath - to you through His blessings, that will not lead to repentance if you will not repent. You have to do something in response to Him. OBEY. Do not live doubles lives - a worldly and a Christian one. That’s not how it goes. If you profess to be a Christian, then live like a Christian. Living double lives degrade Christianity and it is somehow a reason why some people do not want it. Well in fact, it’s not just a religion. It’s all about the relationship you have with God.
But there’s another side of the story. What if people around you say that there’s an indifference before and after you accepted Christ in your life even if you know that there is?
This happens. Sometimes people will tell you why do you go to church and read the Bible when they can’t see any change in you. With these kinds of questions (that sometimes sounds like accusations), learn how to decipher the lies from the truth. You know who you are before and what kind of person you were, so try to consider what they said. Is it true? If it’s not, then rebuke it! It’s just the enemy trying to instill a disheartening seed in your heart. Don’t let it get to your heart. Don’t let lies resound inside of you. Don’t listen to it. And most especially, don’t let it get between you and God. God has already given you your identity. You are a new creation!
When people tell you such things, sometimes they just use it for their own benefits. Even the enemy used God’s Word to lure Jesus into temptation (Matthew 4:6). Know if they are using God’s Word in the right context. And sometimes, they are not seeing the change in you because there is still a veil that hinders them to see it. Help them to remove that veil in their lives. Still, do everything with humility and respect to maintain the relationship with the person and hopefully, to make it grow.
In both cases, show the power of the cross in your life. God did not let you sit there after you experienced Him. He has called you for a purpose. Do it. Be fruitful. Be obedient to God’s Word. Love one another - or I say, everyone. Do not conform to this world. What has Jesus done for you? Reveal it to others. Share His love to other people.
But for those who still hasn’t experienced the power of the cross, let me pray for you. Father, I pray that You will reveal Yourself to them in a mighty way. Transform their lives. Let them experience what Jesus has done on the cross. Enable them to know You in a more intimate way and that they will have a deeper relationship with You. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.
Continue doing good works. Share God’s love to other people. Show the power of the cross in your life. Soon enough, it will be so evident that His glory will be seen in your faces. :)
Spiritually renewed on Sundays after church services yet can’t open the Bible for the rest of the week? Are you one of those what they call ‘Sunday Christians?'
Or maybe you go to church and listen to the preaching yet you remain distracted about what you will eat after the service? Not focused on God even in His presence?
Or maybe you have decided to follow Jesus yet continue to do unlawful things - speaks defiled words, watches indecent shows, tells even the littlest of lies (a white lie is still a lie)? Disobedient?
Or maybe you spend hours on the internet then read the Bible for only a few minutes and wonder why God has been so silent?
Well, none of those will lead you to spiritual growth. If people say that there’s no evident change in your life then there must be something wrong.
I have learned that there are three types of change - reform, conform and transform. The first two are completely external and based on human efforts. While the last kind is internal and completely dependent on God. I believe God does everything to transform you. Sometimes He shows you His kindness that will lead to repentance. Other times He sends what you need in a package you don’t want like trials that actually helps you to grow in faith, have perseverance, and build your character (James 1:2-4). But as you see, for change to happen you must exert some effort. You have to do your part. You have to cooperate with God. It’s a teamwork between you and Him. I believe it’s the best group work ever.
God has already told you everything that you have to do. It’s all in the Bible. He will really remain silent if you don’t seek Him through His word. And even when He has already shown His kindness - which is found everywhere even your breath - to you through His blessings, that will not lead to repentance if you will not repent. You have to do something in response to Him. OBEY. Do not live doubles lives - a worldly and a Christian one. That’s not how it goes. If you profess to be a Christian, then live like a Christian. Living double lives degrade Christianity and it is somehow a reason why some people do not want it. Well in fact, it’s not just a religion. It’s all about the relationship you have with God.
But there’s another side of the story. What if people around you say that there’s an indifference before and after you accepted Christ in your life even if you know that there is?
This happens. Sometimes people will tell you why do you go to church and read the Bible when they can’t see any change in you. With these kinds of questions (that sometimes sounds like accusations), learn how to decipher the lies from the truth. You know who you are before and what kind of person you were, so try to consider what they said. Is it true? If it’s not, then rebuke it! It’s just the enemy trying to instill a disheartening seed in your heart. Don’t let it get to your heart. Don’t let lies resound inside of you. Don’t listen to it. And most especially, don’t let it get between you and God. God has already given you your identity. You are a new creation!
When people tell you such things, sometimes they just use it for their own benefits. Even the enemy used God’s Word to lure Jesus into temptation (Matthew 4:6). Know if they are using God’s Word in the right context. And sometimes, they are not seeing the change in you because there is still a veil that hinders them to see it. Help them to remove that veil in their lives. Still, do everything with humility and respect to maintain the relationship with the person and hopefully, to make it grow.
In both cases, show the power of the cross in your life. God did not let you sit there after you experienced Him. He has called you for a purpose. Do it. Be fruitful. Be obedient to God’s Word. Love one another - or I say, everyone. Do not conform to this world. What has Jesus done for you? Reveal it to others. Share His love to other people.
But for those who still hasn’t experienced the power of the cross, let me pray for you. Father, I pray that You will reveal Yourself to them in a mighty way. Transform their lives. Let them experience what Jesus has done on the cross. Enable them to know You in a more intimate way and that they will have a deeper relationship with You. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.
Continue doing good works. Share God’s love to other people. Show the power of the cross in your life. Soon enough, it will be so evident that His glory will be seen in your faces. :)
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