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.
“[Jesus cries,] ‘Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how often I have longed to gather your children together as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and you were not willing.’ God holds back; he hides himself; he weeps. Why? Because he desires what power can never win. He is a king who wants not subservience, but love. Thus, rather than mowing down Jerusalem, Rome, and every other worldly power, he chose the slow, hard way of Incarnation, love, and death. A conquest from within.” —Philip Yancey
Day 16: Fasting False Ideas about Jesus
The Hebrew definition for the word ‘holy’ [kadosh] refers to something “other” and means to be set apart, dedicated, or distinct from the rest—set apart for the Lord God who is the ultimate Source of holiness. To be holy is to be “uncommon.” Although our Lord was sinless and morally pure, to be holy is to take on the full nature of God, so if we understand the weight of that dedication, holiness is really more about our “commitment.” Only God is holy and only a commitment we make to God will give him permission to make us holy. For God said, “You must be holy because I am holy” (1 Pet 1:16). We are called to make a commitment to God and to let him nurture his character and nature within us.
Jesus, our holy example, was entirely committed to the will of Father God. We see his holy character while he grieves and weeps for Jerusalem, while he clears the temple of the money-changers, as he curses the fig tree for not bearing fruit, in every rebuke of the religious leaders, and even in his prayerful distress as he looked at his future. Jesus was not void of emotion, but those feelings were governed by his commitment to the Father. The commitment for every disciple of Jesus is this: a willingness to be set apart from the world as a ‘holy other’ for the glory of God.
I love the renaissance art paintings of the saints with their sweet halos, but friends I don’t imagine in this lifetime we will have that circle of Light above our heads. However, we can have the Light of the World shining in and through our whole lives by the measure of commitment we bring to our relationship with God. Let’s remember the word ‘renaissance’ means “rebirth.” We have been born again so we can be holy as God is holy—be committed to God as he is committed to us! It is all about abiding, friends.
So today we will fast our false ideals of what it means to be holy and press in for the Truth. As the reborn, we are to make such a commitment to the Lord that we allow him: 1) To form us in his character and pure nature, 2) To remove from us immorality and worldly living, and 3) To make us distinct as God’s sons and daughters who are led by the Spirit.
John 16:5-16 NLT The Work of the Holy Spirit
5 “But now I am going away to the one who sent me, and not one of you is asking where I am going. 6 Instead, you grieve because of what I’ve told you. 7 But in fact, it is best for you that I go away, because if I don’t, the Advocate [Comforter, Encourager, Counselor] won’t come. If I do go away, then I will send him to you. 8 And when he comes, he will convict the world of its sin, and of God’s righteousness, and of the coming judgment. 9 The world’s sin is that it refuses to believe in me. 10 Righteousness is available because I go to the Father, and you will see me no more. 11 Judgment will come because the ruler of this world has already been judged.
12 “There is so much more I want to tell you, but you can’t bear it now. 13 When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own but will tell you what he has heard. He will tell you about the future. 14 He will bring me glory by telling you whatever he receives from me. 15 All that belongs to the Father is mine; this is why I said, ‘The Spirit will tell you whatever he receives from me.’
Sadness Will Be Turned to Joy
16 “In a little while you won’t see me anymore. But a little while after that, you will see me again.”
Prayer: Lord, we thank you for salvation. As well, we thank you for judging the devil—the ruler of this world. Since this judgment has taken place, we must get into agreement with you for salvation. Thank you for the work of the Holy Spirit and for the righteousness we may manifest and enjoy. You fill us with great joy, Lord, so we pray our lives will bring you glory. In Jesus’ name. Amen.