The Objective
Posted by David on January 8, 2009 under Bulletin Articles
God’s investment in people who see and respond to what He did in Jesus Christ exceeds comprehension! No matter how deeply we love our spouses, our children, our country, or our fondest relationships, we will never, never approach God’s selfless investment in us. We cannot fathom the depth of love God has for people!
The question: If we know God has this enormous love for us, how do we demonstrate our appreciation for His incredible love expressed by giving us Jesus Christ? Answer: we willingly are transformed.
How? We see what we were in sin. We see what we can be in Christ. We commit to being the person we can be in Christ. We adopt and imitate God’s values.
If we are deceived, we speak truth because we value people. We refuse to be ruled by anger. Instead of exploiting others by stealing, we help those in need. Our words encourage instead of discourage. We do not resist God’s influence in our lives. Instead of being ruled by the negative emotions of ill will, we are kind. God’s kindness shown in His tenderness and forgiveness in Jesus is our supreme example. As those who benefit from being in Christ, we are committed to “godlikeness” in character and integrity. That is not what we have to be; it is what we want to be!
Those who grasp God’s love in Jesus respond to God’s love in Jesus by committing to transformation. By being transformed we encourage others to be transformed.
Romans 12:1,2 Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.