Thursday, October 4, 2012

Transforming or Conforming?

"If the salt becomes INSIPID -
 (tasteless) it's good for nothing." 

What was Jesus meaning, and how can we recognize if this is happening to us? It must be possible or He would not have spoken about it - HOW CAN WE KNOW? 

Jesus' words warn us against allowing the gospel itself to lose its effect on our own life. What signs do we look for that would indicate the gospel is losing its effect on us? 

Thankfulness is a natural byproduct of the good news - are we giving thanks in all things? 

Hope is also a spiritual flavor that permeates our outlook when the gospel is powerfully working in us. Are we abounding in hope for ourselves and others? 

Pessimism is "seeing things as they are" - without hope! 

Patience and love for others is another spontaneous fruit when we are experiencing fresh gospel life. 

Those who are being forgiven much - LOVE MUCH! Impatience with others is an indicator that the salt is losing its savor. 

One of the clearest evidences that the gospel is still powerfully at work in us is seen in the difference between transformation and conformation. 

Only Christ working in us can transform us into more of His image. When the salt begins to lose its savor, transformation into Christ likeness begins to yield to conformation to our external environment. 

May the Lord bless us with the ability to discern how to safeguard the gospels effect in our lives so that it can not be said of us what Paul warned the Galatians - "Christ no longer is effecting you."
(text Alan sent out)

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