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From the moment that we are born again, a new life awaits? What is God’s expectation? What does God desire? If He simply loves as we were, then nothing should be expected. The gospel would carry no transforming power or potential if God was happy with us as we were. In fact, if God had no vision for humanity to begin with, why become flesh and die for us?
When we focus only on God’s unconditional love, we can lose sight of God’s purpose. His purpose isn’t to leave us as He found us, but to transform us spirit, soul and body. God’s love equips us for change.
How does this transformation take place? Here are a few things to consider:
1. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. (Rom. 12:2)
2. That you put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts, and be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness. (Eph. 4:22-25)
3. And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. (Gal. 5:24-25)
The fact is, God desires and expects change in our lives. And these changes are up to us. We must choose not to be conformed to this world, and to renew our minds. We must put off the old man (the old way of doing things) and put on the new man (the new creation reality). We must crucify the flesh and walk in the Spirit. And God has provided everything we need for these changes to occur. Declaring that God loves us just as we are isn’t the whole story. He loves us in order that we become like Him on every level of life.
The power of the new life lives within. We can cooperate with God and see the changes He died to give us, or we can remain faithful to the old man and continue to live in corruption, failure and darkness.
The writer is a Dean of Instuctors at Charis Bible College in Colorado. Author reserves all rights to this publication.
