This is the love of God, that we keep his commandments. – 1 John 5:3
What is the goal of living a Christian life? Without a solid answer to this question, followers of Christ may find themselves frustrated, merely striving to be good. But is it possible to actually keep the law of God?
The reality is that the glorious goal of the Christian life is transformation, allowing God’s Spirit to create a beautiful likeness of Jesus Christ in you! It is a matter of the heart, a communion resulting in what the apostle Paul calls “the obedience of faith” (Romans 1:5). This transition fulfills God’s commands and brings the name of Christ to the nations. It is a yielding to His goodness instead of striving to be good.
The outworking of the Christian life is a Spirit-enabled life. Before accepting Christ, you were dominated by your “flesh,” the desires of this world, and the appetites of your body. When you surrendered your heart and mind to God, He then began to do a makeover of your desires, moving you towards things that matter to Him and bring Him glory. The Spirit leads you in expressing faith by loving God and loving the people in your life. The practical aspect of that love causes you to do good works specific to those relationships. Those good works will bring you to a place of self-sacrifice requiring God’s power to accomplish the task. As you live, guided and empowered by His Spirit, God will provide everything you need to do what His grace requires.
Pray for America to be filled with governing officials and citizens who live transformed, Spirit-led lives. Ask that God’s purpose would be accomplished in this nation and that it would again be governed by His principles and laws.
Today’s Verse: 1 John 5:3
For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome.
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Recommended for further reading: 1 Corinthians 3:16-23
16 Do you not know that you are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in you? 17 If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy him. For God’s temple is holy, and you are that temple.
18 Let no one deceive himself. If anyone among you thinks that he is wise in this age, let him become a fool that he may become wise. 19 For the wisdom of this world is folly with God. For it is written, “He catches the wise in their craftiness,” 20 and again, “The Lord knows the thoughts of the wise, that they are futile.” 21 So let no one boast in men. For all things are yours, 22 whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas or the world or life or death or the present or the future—all are yours, 23 and you are Christ’s, and Christ is God’s.
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
