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“The goal of our instruction is love from a pure heart, a good conscience, and a sincere faith.” (1 Timothy 1:5 NASB)
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A friend and I were discussing the most powerful concept on the earth – the truth that Jesus Christ changes believers in Him. God’s people are positioned in the Father’s justifying hands where no can remove them; Christians are transformed inside-out via the sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit; and thus believers in Jesus can authentically live differently. Such a life – a life founded on sincere faith – is part of what engenders love. We were talking about how God wants that love to be our hallmark. It is, after all, the goal of all His instruction. Yet, the necessary ingredient of sincere faith remains remarkably elusive. There are many reasons for this, but my friend proposed that chief among the interesting dynamics is this: Christians have a hard time remembering just how radically we are changed in Jesus. He proposed that the most important factor in kindling the joy of authentic trust in God (and the love which follows from it) is a continual reminder of the power of God in transforming lives. “I Am New” Interestingly, about the same time of this chat, another friend sent me the following poem by Jason Gray. It seems to beautifully illuminate the reminder my friend claimed is so important for sincere faith. [Note: Jason Gray is one of my favorite songwriters, so I confess to being biased in favor of these lyrics.] Now I won’t deny The worst you could say about me But I’m not defined by mistakes that I’ve made Because God says of me
I am not who I was I’m being remade I am new I am chosen and holy and I’m dearly loved I am new
Who I thought I was And who I thought I had to be I had to give them both up Cause neither were willing To ever believe Too long I have lived in the shadow of shame Believing that there was no way I could change But the one who is making everything new Doesn’t see me the way that I do Forgiven, beloved Hidden in Christ Made in the image of the Giver of Life Righteous and holy, reborn and remade Accepted and worthy This is our new name
If you trust in Jesus, Christian is your new name. Live that internal truth out in external authenticity, and you will inevitably move yourself and others toward love. |