From Sticky Souls to Transformed Hearts
God’s command—from the glorious clouds overshadowing the Transfiguration of Jesus in the gospels—reminds us: when we listen and do whatever the Son of God says he will lead us from barrenness due to selfish living into righteous fruit-producing living for the glory of God. Self cannot satisfy self. We must hunger for God.
This is basically our journey for Lent, because sinful attitudes and actions try to stick to our souls and destroy our Life with God. Jesus wants us to produce righteous fruit that bring glory to our King’s rule and reign.
“I do not want to fix myself. I cannot fix myself. My natural fortitude served me well as a young believer and it was inevitable that I was habituated from birth to live in the power of self. But as I grow older in faith, I find that I am invited by the Spirit to learn to give up the project of moralism, of trying to fix myself by my spiritual efforts. Rather, I want to open more deeply to Christ’s work on the cross and the work of the Spirit
in my deep for my daily bread.” —-John H Coe
Day 8: Fasting Self-fixing
Crucifixion is about Christ doing for us what we cannot do for ourselves. We may think about the cross in light of salvation and a restored relationship with God, but although that is absolutely true, the cross provides so much more than a promise of our eternal home. Jesus took our sin and judgment upon himself, so we could really live on earth the life God intended from the beginning. We need help while we live each day in this fallen world. Humanity cannot fix the spiritual disconnect, nor can we fix our worldly wandering and selfish living. Without Christ, we will not choose self-denial as an option for the fixing we need.
So, we need to connect to Christ; to dwell with him. Only Christ can do “the fixing” in our hearts for us. Otherwise, we are trying to use the bandaid of human strength to fix the effects and consequences of a sinful curse waged against all humanity—the wages of sin lead to death (Ro 6:23). We cannot overcome death or “dead-living” in our human strength!
We must live each day in the powerful love and care of Almighty God. If we look at things with a divine perspective, every day is a miracle! Do you look at life that way? The disciples saw so many miracles done each day as they followed and traveled with Jesus. Spread before them every day were blessings w/miracles, as well as storms w/challenges. However, each day offered to provided the daily Bread every believer needed. Don’t run from the challenges or try to fix yourself, because Jesus will use the challenges to “fix” within each of us what you and I cannot see. A miracle of love!
Life requires the cross of self-denial; that’s when the blinders come off and we begin to see the Truth. Jesus is so patient with his disciples; he wants them to understand, so he consistently serves as their example. How the Lord treats his disciples, is how we should treat others—with humility and with a servant’s heart. Such a posture liberates a sticky soul and brings miraculous transformation.
John 13:8-17 NLT
8 “No,” Peter protested, “you will never ever wash my feet!”
Jesus replied, “Unless I wash you, you won’t belong to me.”
9 Simon Peter exclaimed, “Then wash my hands and head as well, Lord, not just my feet!”
10 Jesus replied, “A person who has bathed all over does not need to wash, except for the feet, to be entirely clean. And you disciples are clean, but not all of you.” 11 For Jesus knew who would betray him. That is what he meant when he said, “Not all of you are clean.”
12 After washing their feet, he put on his robe again and sat down and asked, “Do you understand what I was doing? 13 You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and you are right, because that’s what I am. 14 And since I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash each other’s feet. 15 I have given you an example to follow. Do as I have done to you. 16 I tell you the truth, slaves are not greater than their master. Nor is the messenger more important than the one who sends the message. 17 Now that you know these things, God will bless you for doing them.
Prayer: Lord, today we fast self-fixing. We know our human efforts to change ourselves are done in vain. We are transformed only as we follow your example. Thank you for taking a humble posture and helping us understand our work as your servants. May we reveal in our lives the cleansing you alone can do within us. Your blessings are beautiful and we position ourselves in humility to receive them, today. Thank you for being our daily Bread! In Jesus’ name. Amen.