Daily Journal: 27 April

Can I Ask You

a Personal Question?

Are you becoming more like Jesus?

It’s great to be able to study, to learn, to grow in knowledge. But if I’m not being changed by that knowledge for the better, and growing in understanding, is it of much value?

To study and learn and grow in the knowledge of Jesus Christ is what transforms my life and takes my belief in God from religion to faith, from dead works to eternal works, and from bondage to freedom. I am being set free each day and being changed "from glory to glory", which means being transformed into the image of Christ.

That transformation is a bit like getting over a really bad case of influenza where aches and pains grip my body, weakness saturates me and breathing is difficult - and then the relief of waking up better. Pure relief to my soul.

Learning why Jesus Christ makes all the difference makes all the difference.

Luke 6:40 (NLV)

The follower is not more important than his teacher. But everyone who learns well will be like his teacher.

Acts 4:13 (NCV)

The leaders saw that Peter and John were not afraid to speak, and they understood that these men had no special training or education. So they were amazed. Then they realized that Peter and John had been with Jesus.

Jesus brings a new way of thinking, and with that comes a new power and freedom that is not from ourselves. Our relationship with Him is where the best of our life flows from. Our journey in Him is a reawakening and an assurance in each day.

These scriptures help to follow the thread.

Romans 12:2 (NCV)

Do not be shaped by this world; instead be changed within by a new way of thinking. Then you will be able to decide what God wants for you; you will know what is good and pleasing to him and what is perfect.

Colossians 3:2 (NASB)

Set your minds on the things that are above, not on the things that are on earth.

Galatians 5:1,4,13 (NLT)

So Christ has truly set us free. Now make sure that you stay free, and don’t get tied up again in slavery to the law… For if you are trying to make yourselves right with God by keeping the law, you have been cut off from Christ! You have fallen away from God’s grace… For you have been called to live in freedom, my brothers and sisters. But don’t use your freedom to satisfy your sinful nature. Instead, use your freedom to serve one another in love. 

Daniel 5:23 (NIV)

But you did not honour the God who holds in His hand your life and all your ways.

Galatians 5:16-18 (NLT)

So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won’t be doing what your sinful nature craves. The sinful nature wants to do evil, which is just the opposite of what the Spirit wants. And the Spirit gives us desires that are the opposite of what the sinful nature desires. These two forces are constantly fighting each other, so you are not free to carry out your good intentions. 

1 John 2:6 (GNT)

if we say that we remain in union with God, we should live just as Jesus Christ did.

Galatians 3:27 (GNT)

You were baptized into union with Christ, and now you are clothed, so to speak, with the life of Christ himself.

Ephesians 5:1 (ESV)

Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children.

2 Corinthians 3:18 (ICB)

Our faces, then, are not covered. We all show the Lord’s glory, and we are being changed to be like him. This change in us brings more and more glory. And it comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.’

So, can I ask you a personal question?