”So I tell you this, and insist on it in the Lord, that you must no longer live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking. They are darkened in their understanding and separated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardening of their hearts…. That, however, is not the way of life you learned when you heard about Christ and were taught in him in accordance with the truth that is in Jesus. You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.“
Ephesians 4:17-18, 20-24 NIV
Someone recently said that thinking optimistically just feels fake. It’s not who I am. It’s not how I think. This gave me pause. I am a fairly optimistic person, and I didn’t comprehend this statement at first.
As this statement sat in the place I reserve for pondering, I continued to think and study. Then the two paths merged, and I had an Aha moment! It’s supposed to be that way! That which is of God always feels fake or uncomfortable as we walk toward transformation in God. It’s part of working out our salvation with fear and trembling. We are to move toward the uncomfortable. For isn’t that what fear and trembling represent—the uncomfortable?
As we train ourselves for righteousness, doing that which is right and correct in the sight of God—not man—we realize it takes effort. Training like a soldier, an athlete, or the tenacious is a requirement for a New Testament Christian.
The early church knew the difficulties of transforming our natural sin nature into God’s supernatural nature. Yet, the pursuit of God is to pursue His character. The letters of the early church, our Bible, were written to encourage all those who desire to follow and pursue the same—even thousands of years later.
They knew that being kind to one another would be challenging - that thinking of others before considering our own needs and wants was character building. Yet, their words cheer us on to do what's right. They knew the importance of obtaining these character traits, because they are those of God Himself, and they are supernatural.
It takes a supernatural Spirit to receive supernatural character. That is the reason Jesus gives His followers His own Spirit. He knows we can't achieve transformation into God’s character without His help, without His Spirit. We aren't able to obey without His assistance.
Being transformed into the likeness of God is like being born again—birthing pain persists.
Yet, this is the path we have chosen. It’s worth it. To actually love another person like Jesus loved is only a hope until He teaches us to do so. But then we can look at another person, who has also been made in God's image, and do so without judgment or comparison, realizing we have been transformed. We have discovered freedom. When we are kind to another without secretly wanting something in return, this too is freedom. When we can experience life with hope, that's definitely transformational freedom.
We not only have an example that this is possible—but also a helper to ensure success. All we need to do is to keep knocking, seeking, praying and continue to be hopeful until Christ returns or He takes us home. Will we be perfect? Only Jesus was perfect, but we will be headed that way - being transformed into the people we were created to become.
Are we leaning in toward the uncomfortable, asking God to transform us? Are we struggling unnecessarily because we forgot to ask for help? Are we walking away, because it just doesn’t make sense, or it’s too difficult?
Father,
I admit, I’m slow to understand. It takes me a while to get to the Aha part of revelation. Yet, You do not give up on me. You strive to lead me, coach me and help me. Thank You.
Please help us, Your children, to pursue You with a holy tenacity that transforms our character. We do desire to be like You. We know that Jesus was successful, so we know we can achieve obedience with Your help. It’s possible to be holy like You are holy, it just takes time.
Please continue to work out that which You have begun in us—to transform us into people with Your character of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.
Help us to be kind to one another and to think of others before we think of ourselves. Even to love our enemies.
Please help us with our mindset. It’s not natural for us to care and be mindful of others over ourselves, to be hopeful, or truly optimistic. Yet, with Your help, even this we can achieve. Thank You for not giving up on us. Thank You for never leaving us.
Only with Jesus’ help,
Amen.
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