Tag: Transform

Be Transformed

Posted on by jakirkgasser10439

Be Transformed and Become the Person God Intended

Introduction

We are each born into a fallen world—a place marked by suffering, conflict, and brokenness.

At the same time, we inherit a flawed nature that drives us to put our own interests first. This self-centered tendency shows up as control, pride, fear, and defensiveness—and it creates real consequences.

    • It separates us from God
    • It distorts how we see reality
    • It blocks His love from flowing into us
    • And it prevents that love from flowing through us to others

Isaiah 59:2 (NKJV) — “But your iniquities have separated you from your God…”

Jeremiah 17:9 (NKJV) — “The heart is deceitful above all things…”

This is the root issue behind the pain we experience—and the pain we cause.

But we are not stuck.

We have a choice:

    • Continue living in this cycle and experience its consequences, or
    • Follow Jesus, allow Him to transform us, and rise above it

There is no bigger issue to address in your life.

Your choice carries eternal consequences:

John 3:36 (NKJV) — “He who believes in the Son has everlasting life…”

Romans 6:23 (NKJV) — “For the wages of sin is death…”

If you choose to love Jesus and put Him first now, you will spend eternity with Him.
If you continue in self-centered living, the struggles of this life will be small compared to eternity separated from God.

This is not theoretical.
It is the most important decision you will ever make.

What Is Transformation

Transformation is not about trying harder—it is about becoming different at the core.

Most people attempt to fix behavior while leaving identity and motives untouched. That approach fails because the source remains unchanged.

True transformation is:

    • A change in identity
    • A change in what drives you
    • A change in how you respond to life

2 Corinthians 5:17 (NKJV) — “If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation…”

At its core, transformation restores God’s intended design:

His love flows into you and then through you to others

1 John 4:19 (NKJV) — “We love Him because He first loved us.”

When that flow is blocked, life becomes strained and reactive.
When it is restored, life becomes purposeful and life-giving.

Why Is Transformation A Big Deal

This transformation is not only about eternity—it directly affects the quality of your life today.

When left unchanged, the self-centered nature produces predictable outcomes:

Galatians 5:19–21 (NKJV) — “…hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions…”

These are not random—they are the natural output of a self-driven life.

You end up:

    • Reacting emotionally
    • Protecting ego
    • Misjudging others
    • Living in tension internally and relationally

But when transformation occurs, a different pattern emerges:

Galatians 5:22–23 (NKJV) — “The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace…”

Now your life begins to produce:

    • Stability instead of chaos
    • Love instead of defensiveness
    • Peace instead of anxiety

John 10:10 (NKJV) — “I have come that they may have life… more abundantly.”

This is the life Jesus intended—not just later, but now.

How Does Transformation Work (Understanding)

Before taking action it helps if we understand how transformation actually works. Without this, efforts become mechanical and ineffective.

1. The Core Issue: Broken Flow of Love

At the deepest level, transformation is about restoring flow.

God designed life so that:

      • We receive His love
      • That love then flows through us to others

Self-centered living disrupts both directions:

      • We struggle to receive God’s love because we live in guilt, pride, and seek independence
      • We fail to give love because we live in fear and defensiveness, and try to control everything

1 John 4:12 (NKJV) — “…if we love one another, God abides in us, and His love has been perfected in us.”

2. The Root Problem: Sin and Self-Centered Nature

This broken flow originates in sin—not just actions, but a condition.

We are not just people who occasionally sin—we are born into a nature that:

      • Defaults to self-protection
      • Seeks control
      • Elevates self-interest

Romans 3:23 (NKJV) — “For all have sinned…”

Ephesians 2:3 (NKJV) — “…by nature children of wrath…”

Life experiences then reinforce this through:

      • Wounds
      • Rejection
      • Fear patterns

These become entrenched responses.

3. The Solution: Jesus Restores What Was Broken

Transformation is only possible because Jesus solved the root problem.

He did not simply teach—He intervened.

      • He lived without sin
      • He demonstrated perfect self-sacrificial love
      • He took sin upon Himself
      • He removed the barrier between you and God

2 Corinthians 5:21 (NKJV) — “…that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.”

1 Peter 2:24 (NKJV) — “…bore our sins… by whose stripes you were healed.”

This means:

      • You can now receive God’s love freely
      • You are empowered to live differently

4. The Transformation Mechanism: Union and Yield

Transformation does not happen by our own effort — it happens through connection and surrender.

      • Union — You are joined to Christ
      • Yield — You stop leading and allow Him to lead

Galatians 2:20 (NKJV) — “It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me…”

John 15:5 (NKJV) — “He who abides in Me… bears much fruit…”

The more you yield, the more His life flows into you and through you.

5. The Pattern: Death of Self → Life in the Spirit

Jesus modeled the pattern for us – Crucify the flesh, Bury it, Be raised into new life:

      • We must choose to Put Off The Old version of our self and all its habits
      • And put on New life following Jesus

Luke 9:23 (NKJV) — “Deny himself… take up his cross daily…”

Ephesians 4:22–24 (NKJV) — “Put off… the old man… and put on the new man…”

This is not loss—it is exchange

We are loosing the stuff we were never intended to have, and gaining the life and abundance God intended.

How Do I Become Transformed (Practical Steps)

Now that you understand how transformation works, the question becomes: what do I actually do—daily, practically—to live this out?

Transformation is not random. It follows consistent, repeatable spiritual patterns that align you with God’s design.

1. Establish Daily Connection With Jesus (Receive His Love)

You cannot give what you have not received. If you are not regularly connecting with Jesus, the flow of life and love will weaken.

Action Steps:

      • Spend time daily in the Word
      • Speak with Jesus directly (not just formal prayer—real conversation)
      • Listen and align your heart

John 15:7 (NKJV) — “If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you.”

Psalm 1:2–3 (NKJV) — “But his delight is in the law of the Lord, And in His law he meditates day and night. He shall be like a tree Planted by the rivers of water, That brings forth its fruit in its season, Whose leaf also shall not wither; And whatever he does shall prosper.”

2. Submit Lordship Intentionally (Respond To His Love)

Transformation accelerates when you stop negotiating control. You cannot follow Jesus while insisting on leading your own life.

Action Steps:

      • Surrender decisions to Him
      • Choose obedience even when it costs you
      • Consciously yield control throughout the day

James 4:7 (NKJV) — “Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.”

Luke 6:46 (NKJV) — “But why do you call Me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do the things which I say?”

3. Renew Your Mind with Truth

Your reactions come from what you believe. If your thinking is not corrected, your behavior will not change.

Action Steps:

      • Identify lies behind your reactions 
      • Replace them with scripture
      • Speak truth out loud to reinforce it

Romans 12:2 — “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.”

Matthew 4:4 – “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God”

John 8:32 –  “Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free”

2 Corinthians 10:5 — “Casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ.”

4. Interrupt and Redirect Triggers

Transformation is revealed in pressure moments. Your growth is determined by how you respond when you are triggered.

Action Steps:

      • Pause before reacting
      • Refuse emotional escalation
      • Identify the underlying lie
      • Choose a truth-based response

James 1:19–20 — “…let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath; for the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God.”

Proverbs 15:1  — “A soft answer turns away wrath, But a harsh word stirs up anger.”

Romans 12:19-21 – “Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, ‘Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,’”

5. Practice Sacrificial Love

Transformation becomes visible when you consistently choose love over self-interest. This is where ego loses power.

Action Steps:

      • Choose patience when irritated
      • Forgive quickly when wronged
      • Serve others without expecting return

Matthew 5:44 — “But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you.”

Philippians 2:3–4  — “Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.”

6. Speak and Stand on Truth (Use the Sword of the Spirit)

In moments of pressure, your words matter. Speaking truth aligns your heart and releases faith.

Action Steps:

      • Declare who you are in Christ
      • Speak God’s promises over situations
      • Reject lies verbally

Ephesians 6:17  — “…and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.”

Hebrews 4:12  — “For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit…”

Proverbs 18:21  — “Death and life are in the power of the tongue, And those who love it will eat its fruit.”

7. See People Through God’s Lens

How you see others determines how you respond to them. Misjudgment fuels conflict; truth produces compassion.

Action Steps:

      • Recognize others are flawed and wounded
      • Choose patience over judgment
      • Respond with humility and compassion

Colossians 3:12–13  — “Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; bearing with one another, and forgiving one another…”

Ephesians 4:32  — “And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.”

8. Review and Grow Daily

Transformation is a process. Growth happens through awareness, correction, and repetition.

Action Steps:

      • Reflect on your day
      • Identify where you reacted in the flesh
      • Apply truth for next time
      • Reinforce progress

2 Corinthians 13:5  — “Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves…”

James 1:22–24  — “But be doers of the word, and not hearers only… he is like a man observing his natural face in a mirror… and immediately forgets what kind of man he was.”

Summary Insight

These steps are not independent—they work together as a system:

      • Connection fuels truth
      • Truth enables right response
      • Right response builds new patterns
      • New patterns produce transformation

Stay consistent, and the change will become visible, stable, and lasting.

What It Looks Like When It’s Working

Transformation produces visible results over time.

In You

    • Stability under pressure
    • Emotional control
    • Clear thinking
    • Growing freedom

Isaiah 26:3 — “You will keep him in perfect peace, Whose mind is stayed on You, Because he trusts in You.”

Around You

    • Better relationships
    • Less conflict escalation
    • Greater influence
    • Others experience God through you

Matthew 5:16 — “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.”

How Am I Doing? A Self Test

Aspect Question Self / Flesh 

Christ / Spirit

Key Verse
Lordship Who is in control of my life and this decision right now? I lead my life; I decide what is right Jesus is Lord; I submit and follow Luke 6:46 — “But why do you call Me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do the things which I say?”

Identity

Am I thinking like my old self or my new self in Christ?

Defined by past, wounds, performance

 New creation; child of God; righteous in Him 2 Corinthians 5:17 — “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation…”
Source of Life

Where am I going to get what I need right now?

Looking to people, outcomes, control

 Receiving from God first; abiding in Him John 15:5 — “I am the vine, you are the branches… without Me you can do nothing.”
Mindset Am I reacting emotionally or responding based on truth? Reactive, assumption-driven, emotional Truth-based, steady, intentional Romans 12:2 — “Be transformed by the renewing of your mind…”
Thought Life Do I examine and challenge my thoughts? Thoughts run unchecked and justify reactions Thoughts captured and aligned to truth

2 Corinthians 10:5 — “Bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ.”
Trust vs Control Do I try to control this outcome of situations? Striving, anxious, controlling results Trusting God with outcomes and timing Proverbs 3:5–6 — “Trust in the Lord with all your heart… He shall direct your paths.”
Trigger Response Do I pause before I respond to situations? Immediate reaction; escalation Pause, process, and choose truth James 1:19 — “Let every man be… slow to speak, slow to wrath.”
Love Response Did I choose love over protecting myself? Defend self, retaliate, withdraw into issolation Sacrificial love; patience; forgiveness, overcome evil with love Matthew 5:44 — “Love your enemies… pray for those who spitefully use you…”
Speech Did my words bring life or create damage? Critical, defensive, reactive, destructive Edifying, measured, life-giving

Ephesians 4:29 — “Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth… but what is good for edification…”
Fruit / Outcome What is the result I am producing right now? Anxiety, conflict, instability Peace, clarity, influence, life Galatians 5:22–23 — “The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace…”

Where to Learn More

Scripture:

John 15  – Jesus The True Vine

Romans 6–8 – Put Off The Old Man / Put On Christ

Galatians 5 – Walk in the spirit not the flesh

Ephesians 4–6 – Walk in love, Spiritual Warfare,  Armor of God

Teachers:

Dan Mohler  <My Dan Mohler Resource Page With Links To Good Videos>

         Live in Your New Identity <Video>

Barry Bennett  < My Barry Bennet Resource Page With Links to Good Videos>

Be Set Free From The Fallen World

Best Practices:

Establish Personal Relationship with Jesus: <My Blog Post Discussion> 

Hear God’s Voice via Interactive Journaling:  <My Instruction Page> 

Speaking Scriptural Declarations: < Declarations: What, Why, How>, <Catalog Of Declarations > 

Start Your Day With Jesus < My Blog Post Discussion >

Living In Gratitude:  <My Blog Post Discussion>

Deny Your Self, Pick Up Your Cross and Follow Jesus – Lose Your Life to Find It < My Blog Post Discussion >

Loving Others as God Loves You:  <My Blog Post Discussion>

Call to Action

Start now:     2 Corinthians 6:2 (NKJV) — “Now is the day of salvation.”

    • Submit one area fully
    • Replace one reaction today
    • Speak truth out loud
    • Choose love under pressure

You are not trying to improve yourself.

You are becoming who God intended you to be.

And as you yield:  His love and His life will flow through you — and everything changes.

Become Like Jesus

Posted on by jakirkgasser10439

Don’t Miss the Point, Shed your old self and Become Like Jesus!

Don’t miss the point, the purpose of the Gospel, why Jesus came.

Contrary to popular opinion, Christianity is not all about you getting into heaven someday.  It is about transforming your life so heaven can form in you right here and right now. 

Modern western Christianity has become highly focused on speaking a “prayer of salvation” so if you die tonight you will go to heaven. Unfortunately, if this prayer is only superficial, and not accompanied with true repentance for your sins and a full committment to change and follow Jesus as Lord of your life, those folks will be severaly dissapointed when they knock at the pearly gates and Jesus does not know them and let them in.  The gospel message of repentance and transformaitonal change has become lost as churches seak to attract customers and avoid difficult conversations that might scare them away. This shortcut produces Christians in title only, folks who try to adapt selective Christian principles to thier life when it is convenient;  Christians who are complying with religious rituals but remain self-centered and unchanged; Christians who are pleasant for an hour on Sunday but are misserable the remainder of the week; Shristians that are happy when things are going well for them, but are devasteated and need prayer as soon as they encounter any of life’s inevitable challenges.. If you follow along with this write up, you will avoid this mistake;  You will get to know God and He will help you live the life He intended when he put you here, and He will know you very well when it comes time to knock on those pearly gates. 

Jesus came here to restore what was lost

The gospal message is much deeper and is much more powerful and compelling when you properly understand it. 

Look at the specific words used in Luke 19:10, they are very telling.  It doesn’t say Jesus came to save those who are lost, it says he came to save “That” which was lost. He came so save a thing not a person.  He came to restore the image of God in us, the image that was lost by Adam and Eve’s sin. This is a very big deal. 

“for the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost.”Luke 19:10

Look at how the story line flows regarding the Image of God

Man was originally made in God’s image; Adam and Eve corrupted that image when they sinned in the garden. Each of us is born into Adam’s image, We each need to be born again to change it.  Jesus came here as the expressed image of God. Now that He has released the Holy Spirit, He will form in you if you invite Him and give Him room to work. You must cut off the old you and put the old you to death so that you can be restored into new life through Him. Jesus was the first born of many; you are to be one of the many. Jesus will restore the original image of God in you as He forms in you and lives through you.

In practical terms, God put us here for a purpose, Adam got us side tracked with sin, God sent His son to restore what was lost and to enable us to fulfill that original purpose. If we fully commit to follow Jesus, we will be transformed and be able to live the life He intended whern He put us here.

This is not a superficial prayer, this is not a casual engagement, this is not a limited applicaiton of selected principles if convenient, this is full emersion, this is a comittment to change.

You must shed your old self to make room for Jesus to form in you

The target of transformation is your inner nature, the thing deep down inside that drives you. We are born with a self-conscious and self-centered sinful nature that casues problems for us and those around us.  You can see this nature in little children, no one has to teach them to be needy, to be selfish with thier toys. That is thier inherited nature, thier instinct. That nature drives us to be self-consious; to focus on ME and my situation. It elevates our Ego and pushes self-centered agendas; what can i do to improve my situation, reputation, status, position, power in life. These self-focused emotions, thoughts, and actions are directly opposite of God’s intention for us to love Him with all our heart and to love others as ourselves. Left unchecked, they end up causing all sorts of problems for ourselves and others and are in fact the forcing functions behind all sin. 

Jesus came here to save us from sin, to allow us to move forward from our past, to come into us and change our nature, and empower us to live a better life through Him moving forward.  He lived a human life and forged a path for us to follow. A path where we transform and actually live the life God intended when He put us here.  After His ascension, He released the Holy Spirit so He could come and live inside each of us to teach us and guide us in person. 

We must repent of our sins. We must acknowledge our flaws and the consequences they produce. We must be committed to change; Be comitted to follow Jesus as lord of our lives and to follow His teacings; Be comitted to live a life worthy of the price Jesus paid. 

To make room for Him to live inside us and do His work we must get our old self out of the way.  We are called to:

1) Deny ourselves, (including our self-consicous emotions and our self-centered agendas),

2) Pick up our cross daily (including suffering what ever wrongs we encounter), and

3) Follow Jesus (including his teachings and lived example).   

If we are willing to set aside our old ways and actually follow Him, He will come inside us, teach us and guide us. He will form in us and flow through us. This is how we glorify God with our lives and become a beacon to others for His kingdom.

The idea is to crucify your old self and it’s sinful nature on the cross with Jesus.  If you put off your old self and start over, there is no past to be mired in.  

God actually wants to you become like Jesus

Invite Him to come and live in you; to tske up residence.

Offer yourself as a vessel for His use. Commit to transforming into His image and doing the work He calls you to.

As you listen and follow His lead,  He will form in you.

You will find more and more ways for His love to flow through you. His love is perfected when it flows through you to others. 

You will become more and more like Him.  You will be able to be bold on judgement day becasue you ended up like Him.

You know you have achieved success when you “know Him”.  When bad things happen to you and you respond in love. You are connected with Him in relationship, you see things from His perspective, you isten for His input, you understand His will, you speak His will into place, and He lfows through you to do the works He did. 

Scripture sets very clear expectations on you transforming and becoming like Jesus:

God originally made mankind in His own image, the perfect image of God.

“So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.” Genesis 1:27

Adam and Eve were changed when they chose to sin in the garden. Thier eyes were opened. They became self-conscious, they realized they were naked, became afraid, hid from God, and began denying responsiblity for thier actions.They had corrupted the perfect image of God. 

“Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves coverings.” Genesis 3:7

“Then the Lord God called to Adam and said to him, “Where are you?” So he said, “I heard Your voice in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; and I hid myself.” Genesis 3:9-10

Adam passed on his flawed image to His children.

“…In the day that God created man, He made him in the likeness of God….And Adam lived one hundred and thirty years, and begot a son in his own likeness, after his image, and named him Seth.” Genesis 5:1-3

We inherited Adams sinful nature.  We are born into Adams sinful nature:

“Therefore, just as through one man sin entered the world, and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men, because all sinned.” Romans 5:12

Jesus makes the kingdom of God available inside us:

“Now when He was asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, He answered them and said, ‘The kingdom of God does not come with observation; nor will they say, “See here!” or “See there!” For indeed, the kingdom of God is within you.” Luke 17:20-21

We must be born again to reset our flawed nature and experience the kingdom of God in us:

“Jesus answered and said to him, ‘Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.’” John 3:3

Jesus is the expressed image of God:

“He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation.” Colossians 1:15

You are to be conformed to His image:

“For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren.” Romans 8:29

Deny yourself, crucify your self-centered agendas, and allow Jesus to live in you and through you:

“I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.” Galatians 2:20

We are to get to know Him; See things from His perspective, Understand His intentions, Align ourselves, and become more like Him, this releases eternal life in us and through us:

“This is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent.” John 17:3

Jesus is to form in you:

Paul said… “My little children, for whom I labor in birth again until Christ is formed in you,” Galatians 4:19

“To them God willed to make known what are the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles: which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.” Colossians 1:27

We are to become like Him:

“Love has been perfected among us in this: that we may have boldness in the day of judgment; because as He is, so are we in this world.” 1 John 4:17

You are to become the light of the world. Jeuss was the light of the world while He was here, and now He has handed the ball to you.

Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.” John 8:12

“As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.” John 9:5

“…that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world,”  Philippians 2:15

“You (those who believe) are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden.” Matthew 5:14

Speak This Positive Confession

Heavenly Father, thank you for creating me and putting me here.

You created mankind in your image, the perfect image of God.

That image was tarnished by Adam and Eve when they sinned in the Garden.

I inherited that tarnished image, I was a sinner, another child lost in this fallen world.

I was living for ME. My thoughts and emotions were centered on ME.

I was self-conscious and self-centered.

I saw events around me mostly through my own eyes, from my own earthly perspective.

What is MY earthly status? What do I look like? What nice things do I have? How much money do I have? What level of education have I achieved? What Job/Position do I hold? What have I accomplished? What kind of relationships/family have I built? What status do I hold in society? What do others think of me?  Do people love me? How are things going for me?

My ego had a strong voice in my emotions and my actions: What is happening around me? What is happening to me? What does that mean for me? How do I build up my situation? How to I protect my reputation?

Guilt, Shame and Condemnation have had a strong foothold: What have I done? What impact has it had? What do people think? What would other people think if they knew? What does God think?

This focus on self is the opposite of what you intended when you put us here. We are called to love you more than we love ourselves. We are called to love our neighbors more than ourselves.  We are called to forgive our enemies and love them; We are to see all others as your precious children in need of love and support. We are to use our skills and resources to serve you and your kingdom as you lead us. We are to become your agents to spread love.    

Instead of being love in action, I have lived my life in need of love.

God, thank you for loving me so much you sent your son.

Jesus, You came here to rescue me, and to restore what was lost through Adam.

Jesus, You paid the price for my sins with your suffering and death.

You gave Your life for me, I give my life to You. 

I used to live my life for me, I now live my life for You.

Jesus, You are now Lord of my life.

I hereby crucify the old me, I nail my sinful nature to Your cross.

I put my ego and self-conscious emotions to death.

I cancel all self-centered agendas and submit them all to you, Jesus.

I put off my old man and put on the new man, I put on Jesus

Your innocent blood covers my past so I can focus forward.

I am completely forgiven, My past is washed away.

I am born again. An adopted son of God.

I am a new person.

All old things pass away, behold all things are made new through Jesus.

There is no room for guilt, shame, or condemnation in my life. My past is behind me.

I am an official member of your flock, a member of the Body of Christ..

The Father sees me as innocent and Holy through Your precious blood.

I am committed to live a life worthy of the price You paid.

I invite you to come live inside Me, to take up residence.

I present my mind and body as a temple for your Holy Spirit.

I wake every day renewed in your spirit.

I am beginning to see things from your perspective.

As I get to know you, You are coming alive in me, transforming my thoughts and emotions.

You empower me to live the life you intended when you put me here.

With Your help, I will be more and more like You

The kingdom of God is forming in me.

I have a new purpose, I am no longer just trying to survive, I am living to bring you glory

There is no room for negativity in me, I now live in the hope of glory.

You are forming in me; It is no longer me that lives, but You through me.

You are restoring the original image of God in me; I am becoming love.

Your love will be perfected as it flows through me to others.

I offer my arms and legs to do your work on this earth.

I will walk in the light as you walked in the light.

I will be a bright light in this dark world.

I will shine as a beacon for your kingdom.

I will bring the Father glory through the Son.

 

Other Helpful Reference Materials:

Videos of Dan Mohler preaching this message:

Full Sermons – Very Powerful – Worth watching several times until the message sinks in:

“God sent His son to redeam Humanity not get You into heaven someday” Destiny Church Naples–Dec 2022

“Love not your life unto death” July 2018

“Deny Yourself” – May 2015

 “Live Life Transformed” – July 2018

Transforming is simple, It does not have to be a long process – May 2020

Your Goal vs Satans Goal – Dec 2023

Brief versions focused on this key message:

“Jesus said deny yourself and pick up your cross and follow me“ – Dec 2022  – 3 min

“What does it mean To Pick Up Your Cross”Aug 2019 – 6 Min

 “Deny Yourself Then Take Up Your Cross”  Aug 2016– 10 Min

                     

You Are An Ambassador for Christ

Posted on by jakirkgasser10439

Are You An Effective Ambassador For Christ?

You are called to be an ambassador for Christ, to help others find Jesus and become reconciled back to God through His blood. He needs you to show others the ways of the kingdom as a living role model, and He needs you to share your story with others so they can see it is possible and appropriate to turn and follow Jesus. 

“Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ’s behalf, be reconciled to God.” 2 Corinthians 5:20

Ambassadors are representative of a higher authority, sent as an envoy into a foreign land with authority to deliver a message and negotiate on behalf of ruler. Typical roles for a diplomatic ambassador include: 

Negotiate Agreements: Use delegated authority to make things happen
Maintain Diplomatic Relations: Engage, Maintain open dialog
Promote Cooperation: Identify Opportunities, Advocate Solutions
Promote Investment: Identify Needs/Opportunities, Make Connections
Safeguard Interests: Identify conflicts, risks, issues; No surprises
Help Travelers: Help friendlies navigate unfamiliar/unfriendly areas
Explain Policy: Explain how/why of established policies/rules
Evacuate Refugees: Help folks escape danger

As believing Christian we are each commissioned as an agent for the Kingdom of God, sent out into the fallen world to help pave the way for the kingdom. 

“Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit” Matthew 28:19

Jesus tells John in Revelation how we will play a key part of His three part strategy to defeat the devil and make him His foot stool. Jesus removes the devils power by shedding His innocent blood on the cross, we need to follow Jesus model and deny our earthyl lives to the point of death so we can live the life He paid such a high price for, and as we do it, we need to share our story with others so they see it is possible and appropriate to do the same thing.  

“Then I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, ‘Now salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of His Christ have come, for the accuser of our brethren, who accused them before our God day and night, has been cast down. And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death.’”Revelation 12:10-11

How are you doing in the role of ambassador:  Being a good Christian role model?  Engaging others and sharing your story?

Are you a good role model? Are you helping His cause or hurting it as you walk out your life?

Have you fully embraced your identity as a Born Again, Spirit Filled, Child of God?

Have You fully embraced your purpose to bring glory to God in everything you think, say, and do, and to become a beacon for the kingdom? 

Have you renewed your mind? Become focused on things above? Seeing things from His perspective?

Are you setting a good example with your life? with your relationships? with your choice of words? with how you spend your time?

Have you put off the old man and his sinful ways, and put on new life with Jesus? 

Are you still loving yourself, your earthly life, and the things of this world, or have you denied yourself and become separate from the world?

Have you shifted from living by the flesh to living by faith in the spirit? Have you put all your trust in Him?

Are you acting like Jesus would?  Become transformed into His likeness? Can people see hints of Jesus in you when they see you in action?

Are you doing the works He did and more? Are you actively engaged defeating the works of the devil, or are you sitting on the sidelines watching things happen?

Are you doing all things in His name so the Father gets the glory?

Do you give God credit for everything He does?  Can anyone else tell you Love God with all your heart?

Are you a light in this dark world, a beacon for the kingdom? Are you attracting people to be interested in participating in the kingdom or are you giving them more excuses to ignonre God?

“You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.”Matthew 5:13-16

Your life matters, live it well.

Are you actively engaged as an advocate for the kingdom, or are you holding back?

We are each called to be a witness to Jesus and share our story with others:

“But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear;” 1 Peter 3:15

“And he did not permit him but said to him, ‘Go home to your friends and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you.’” Mark 5:19

“’Return to your home, and declare how much God has done for you.’ And he went away, proclaiming throughout the whole city how much Jesus had done for him.” Luke 8:39

“Come and hear, all you who fear God, and I will tell what He has done for my soul.” Psalm 66:16

“Oh give thanks to the Lord; call upon his name; make known his deeds among the peoples! Sing to him, sing praises to him; tell of all his wondrous works!” Psalm 105:1-2

We each have a story to tell, the story of our unique and personal journey with Jesus.

    • How do you know God / Jesus is real?
      • What evidence have you seen?
    • How did He first get your attention?
      • A Knock? A Situation? Distress/Despiration?
    • How have you seen His hand in your life?
      • Significant “Non-random” events? People? Places? Circumstances?
    • How do you interact with God?
      • How do you engage Him? How often? Where?
    • How have you heard God’s voice?
      • In Scripture? Thoughts arriving during prayer? Journalling? Knowing in your gut? Audible Voice?
    • Who are You? Why are you here? What is your calling?
      • What unique Gifts/Talents did He give you so you can be useful? What comes easy? What do you do well?
      • What passions did he plant in your heart to guide your journey? What do you enjoy? What drives you?
      • What experiences did God give you to shape you and set you up on your current path?
      • What is your purpose / calling / ministry?
    • How has Faith/The Word/Jesus changed your life/thinking/behavior?
      • What have you learned though a trial or tribulation?
      • How has Faith helped you get through a storm in your life?
      • How has Holy Spirit led you into interesting situations?
      • How has Holy Spirit worked through you to impact someone else?
      • Do you see any hints of a positive ripple of God’s love through you to others, and then on form them?

You can ponder these questions in your mind. I encourage you to write them down so you are fully formed and more conscice and ready to share when asked.

My Offer: I woud be happy to do an interview with your and help you capture your story. We can do it via zoom and we can get a written transcript of your story. You can keep it private for your personal use, or we can share it publicly to help others see how the kingdom could work in thier life.

When engaging others in a spiritual discussion, there are some clear lessons learned

    • Be Led: Ask the Lord for guidance on Who / When / How
    • Fear Not: Trust in The Holy Spirit To Help You and Give You Words

“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” Acts 1:8

    • Your job is not to win souls in each conversation. You are part of a team: Some Sow, Some Water, Some Reap, God Brings The Increase.

“For in this the saying is true: ‘One sows and another reaps.’ I sent you to reap that for which you have not labored; others have labored, and you have entered into their labors.” John 4:37-38

“I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase. So then neither he who plants is anything, nor he who waters, but God who gives the increase. Now he who plants and he who waters are one, and each one will receive his own reward according to his own labor.” 1 Corinthians 3:6-9

    • Engage others with respect and kindness – they have free will to choose. Our opportunity to be clear on what we have learned and what is working for us. 
    • Lead with Love and Goodness, What God the Father and Jesus have done for us. Goodness creates interest and willingness to discuss what we need to do to respond and align ourselves to benefit from the goodness.

Supporting resources for engaging others in spiritual disucssions

Ray Comfort

Greg Koukl

Frank Turek

Cliffe Knechtle

Supporting Scriptures:

“Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ’s behalf, be reconciled to God.” 2 Corinthians 5:20

“Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world.” 1 John 2:15-16

“…that you put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts, 23 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.” Ephesians 4:22-24

“Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father.” John 14:12

“And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.” John 14:13

“Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.” Matthew 5:16

 

Become Like Jesus, Become Love!

Posted on by jakirkgasser10439

Become Like Jesus – Become Love!

You have an huge opportunity:

We live in a fallen world where the sin of mankind continues to creates layers and layers of adverse consequence. We are each born with a sinful nature, a tendancy to love ourselves more than we love God or those around us. This inner nature makes us self-conscious, meaning we spend a lot of our time and energy worried about “ME”, what I look like, what I can do, what I have, what others might think about me, how others treat me; It is all about ME. This self-conscious perspective works itself into patterns of thoughts, emotions, intentions and actions over time. These thoughts, emotions, and intentions keep us focused on short term self-centered agendas which are often counter to our own long term success and often come at the expense of others. If you let this flawed inner nature continue to drive your thoughts, emotions and intentions, you will eventually self-distruct. If you try to manage them yourself with discipline and self-control, without addressing the root issue of your flawed inner nature, you will lead an increasingly difficult and frustrating life and never reach your full portential.  The God who created you sent His Son here to provide an upgrade path out of this fallen world and your flawwed inner nature. All you need to do is acknowledge the problem and follow Him. He promisses to fix the root issue by replacing your flawed self-centerd inner nature with one rooted in Love. He will then help you undo the self-centered thought and emotion patterns which get in your way and cause problems for others. and replace them with thoughts and emotions rooted in Love. These changes unlock the hidden potential within you; You will become the best possible you. These changes yeild benefits for you and those around you. The benefits can be experienced here and now, and they last for etenrity. Follow this brief discussion and see what salvation can really look like when you embrace it.

Call to action:

You are called to transform.  To transform from the You that was born with a self-conscious inner nature. The You that has been shaped by a life time of experiences in this fallen world. You are called to become like Jesus, to submit the old you and let Him form in you. Instead of self-consciousness driving you, you vecome driven by Love;  Love of God and Love of others. As you release your own self-centered agendas you start acting selflessly, you become Love in action.  When you do this, you become the best possible “You”; the “You” God intended when He crreated you. You will shine in this dark world, You will be a beacon for His kingdom. This transformtion is both possilbe and appropriate. 

Why are things so screwed up? 

Mankind was created in the image and likeness of God and they experienced peace and harmony with God and paradise in the garden. That all changed when Adam and Eve exercised their free will, listened to lies, and decided they would be better off to eat of the forbidden tree which violated Gods’ one big rule.  The self-conscious thoughts about becoming like a god by knowing good and evil started a chain reation. It led to a self-centered action to ignore Gods commandment and eat the forbidden fruit.  This corrupted the perfect image of God in them and made them permanently self-conscious and self-centered. They became aware they were naked, became afraid, and started hiding from God. They each deflected accountability for thier aciton by blaming someone else: Eve blamed the serpent, Adam blamed Eve, and then he blamed God. This flawed inner self-conscious and self-centered inner nature has been passed on from generation to generation and has only gotten worse over time. This has resulted in a world where people are focused entirely on themselves. The external consequences are all around us: Violence, Corruption, Immorality, Hate, Divisiveness, Suffering, etc. The inner agendas are evident when you look: Everything is all about “ME”!  This effects how people view themselves: What does my body look like? What do others think of me? How can I make myself look better in their eyes? How can I show off what I have? How can I avoid blame?  This effects how they view others: What do others have that I don’t? How can I get the things they have?  How can I use people to serve my interests? This also effects how they relate to God: “I have accomplished these things..not God through me.” These folks are actually stealing credit from God and there will be consequences.  “I will deal with this myself”…you can address some symptoms but you can’t get to the root. He will present increasingly difficult situations to the point where you suffer so much you give up and call out to Him for help.  Here is your opportunity to avoid all that suffering and address it now. 

Why should I care?

Like it or not, You were born with this flawed inner nature; a tendancy to be self-conscious and to adopt self-centered agendas. This inner nature is a force deep in you and it is shaping your life. It drives your thoughts, your emotions, and your choices. To the extent you let this force run free, you end up operating from a self-conscious perspective, focused on you and optimizing your short term experience. You become distracted from God and His plans for you. You view other people as competition to compare yourself to, or even worse, you view them as resources to be used for your benefit. This creates an endless cycle of distracting emotions and bad decisions as you struggle against lifes’ inevitble challenges. The rules of scociety are establsihed to keep people who are operating with this nature from causing excessive harm to each other.

People who overcome this inner flaw become awakened to the bigger perspective and make longer term decisions, loose the enless distractions and wasted energy, and realize a tremendous joy when they find themselves playing a useful role in a much more important aspect in peoples lives.   

You can detect this nature operating in you if you pay attention.

Have you ever heard yourself say any of these things, outloud or even just to yourself?

I deserve more… What is in it for me…  How will I ever get credit for doing this?

I’m sick and tired of…   I’ll show them…  Well they got what they deserved… 

I know it is wrong but I can’t stop myself… 

Do you feel a tendancy toward any of these emotions:

Pride? Impatience? Anger? Hate?

Envy? Jealousy? Lust?

Fear? Dispair? Desperation?

Guilt? Condemnsation? Shame?

Those are just some of the symptoms produced by the flawwed inner nature you were born with.   

The antidote to all of this is to “Become Love”.

God is love.  He loves us so much He sent His only begotten son as a human to suffer and die for us.

Jesus is the expressed image of God, He is love in the flesh. Jesus is love in Action.  Become like Jesus. Become Love.

We are each called to to follow Jesus, to become like Him.  To submit our old self to him and nail it to His cross. To be raised in new life with Him through His ressurection. To invite Him to come live inside us; Let Him teach us and guide us, Let Him form in us. To let Him flow through us.

What does becoming Love look like?

The following is a summary of what love looks like in thoughts, emotions, intentions, and actions

Love is patient; It is calm, It does not act or react in haste.

Love is kind; It is gentle, it appreciates others and seaks to nurture and be useful towards them.

Love is satisfied; It does not envy what others have.

Love is humble; It does not get puffed up and proud.

Love does seek attention; It does not boast or parade itself.

Love behaves properly; It is never rude or offensive.

Love is happy to flow one way; It does not need reciprocation; It does not seek its own.

Love is not provoked; It doen’t react to actions against it; It sees others as children needing Love.

Love thinks no evil; It does not generate evil thoughts, It does not wish evil on others.

Love does not rejoice in iniquity; It avoids causing harm or injustice.

Love rejoices in truth; It enjoys understanding and doing what is right.

Love bears all things; It maintains composure in the face of struggle.

Love believes all things; It embraces God’s love and trusts His promises.

Love hopes all things; It is optimistic and expects the bright future in this life and the next.

Love endures all things; It persists with conviction and overcomes challenges.

You are called to become rooted in Love and exhibit ALL of these desirable characteristics. These are each counter to the thoughts, emotions, intentions and actions driven by the self-centered nature you were born with. 

This list of characteristics can serve as a mirror to your current thoughts, emotions, intentions and actions. Are you acting in pure love? Which ones are a particular challenge for you? Does one stand out as the biggest issue? If one does not stand out, Ask the Lord to illuminate one for you so that it comes into clear focus. 

Jesus came here to restore your inner nature to the image and likeness of God – which is pure love. When you acknowledge your flaws, and accept Him as the Lord of your life, You open the door for Him to flow into you and start fixing things.  When you ask for His help, He sends the Holy Spirit to come in and take up residence inside you. If you truly give Him permission to work, it is transformational. You start seeing things differently. You start to notice some of the things you think, say, or do are not right. You start to care. You start to hear His voice trying to teach you and lead you. You can try to fix these things yourself through discipline and focus. This can impact things on the surface, but it is much more effective to give Him permission to do the necessary work deep inside you and adress the root of the issue.

How do I become Love?

Only Jesus can fix our flawed inner nature:

We ware created in Gods’ image. Adam corrupted the image through sin. Jesus came to restore what was lost through Adam, the image of God in us.

When we accept Jesus, we are born again and get a fresh start. As we deny ourselves and invite jesus to come and form in us, and the image of God is restored. You can try all the self-help do it yourself strategies you want, but only Jesus can actually restore the image of God in you.

Have you accepted Jesus as your Lord and Savior? 

There is no down side.  The only things He will ask you to give up are the things you were never meant to have in the first place.

We need to transform our mind:

Once our spriit it born again, we then need to rewire the thoughts, emotions, and intentions that were previously established in us. We need to purge the ones rooted in our original sinful nature, and establish desireable ones that flow from Love out of our new natue.

You can try to work on this yourself and you will make some progress through focus and discipline, but at some point you willl realize this runs deep and is beyond your control. What you may not realize is that your potential will be limited by what you can imagine is possible based on your past expeirience, not what God had in mind when He formed you. 

The most effective approach is to leverage Jesus and the Holy Spirit. 

What can I do move forward and “Become Love”    

There are a couple of structured steps to help this process happen quickly and effectively.

  • Get intimate with Jesus in a quiet place. Sit with Him. Talk with Him. Listen to Him.
  • Follow this flow and speak your statements outloud directly to Jesus, speaking with intention directly from your heart.
  • Acknowledge the shortcoming you notice
    • “Jesus, I clearly have missed the mark. I was doing xxx (undesired behaviour). By doing xxxx, I was not being love.”
  • Acknowledge the consequences
    • “I can now see that doing xxx causes yyyy, this is a problem, It prevents your love from flowing through me to others”.
  • State your intention to change
    • “I no longer want to do xxxx, I want to love others the way you do, I want to become love, I want your love ot flow through me, I want to be love in action!”
  • Ask Him to execute the change in your heart.
    • “You gave your life for me, I hereby give my life to you,:
    • “I nail my old sinful self to your cross. I put my old self to death in your grave”:
    • “I am rasied into new life with you and your resurrection”
    • “I put off my old self, and put on Jesus”
    • “It is no longer me that lives, but You live through me”
    • “I invite you to come in and change my heart – help me become love”
    • “Transform my thoughts, emotions and actions – help me become love in action for others”
  • Declare the desired result in faith – trusting that it is happening as you speak
    • “The Holy Spirit is in me, leading me, teaching me, helping me”
    • “You are working in me; You are the potter, I am the clay”
    • “You are helping me see things from your perspective”
    • “You are leading me into all truth”
    • “You are purifying my heart to love others as you love them”
    • “You are crushing my selfish agendas”
    • “You are helping me put xxxx (specific focus issue) far behind me”
    • “You are helping me become yyyy (desired characteristic): a humble man, a patient man, etc”
    • “I look forward to becoming more and more like You”
    • “Your love will flow through me to others.”
    • “People will get a good look at You when they see me in action.”
  • Be thankful and give glory to the Father through the Son
    • “I thank you for all you have done and what you are doing in me”
    • “This is Your amazing work, not anything I have done”
    • “You are the vine and I am the branch, I can do nothing without you.”
    • “May your work shine through my life”
    • “May I be a bright beacon for you and the kingdom.”
    • “I speak all of this in Jesus’ name to bring glory to the Father through the Son.”

Go for it. Be committed to becoming love, You will become your best you. Submit your flawed old self and committ your new self to follow Jesus. Invite the Holy Spirit to come in and help you. Be receptive as the Holy Spirit helps you identify issues and opportunities, Yield to Him completely and let Him do His best work in you. Declare the bright future in faith even before it comes to pass. Be thankful for His work in you and make sure God gets all the credit.

Keep after this agenda as you work through the progression of issues that will inevitably peel off, it is well worth the effort!

Supporting Scriptures

God is love

“Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love.” 1 John 4:8

Jesus is the expressed image of God, Jesus is love in the flesh

“He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation.” Colossians 1:15

“He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature.” Hebrews 1:3

You are called to imitate Jesus, to be like Jesus, To walk in love

“Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.” Ephesians 5:1-2

“Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ.” 1 Corinthians 11:1

“…‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.” Mark 12:31

Love is…

“Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up;  does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil;  does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth;  bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.” 1 Corinthians 13:4-8

Becoming Love involves transforming how you think, speak and act, and aligning with Jesus

“Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus,” Philippians 2:5

“Whoever says he abides in Him ought to walk in the same way in which He walked.” 1 John 2:6

“Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.” 1 John 2:15

This involves getting your old self out of the way, and letting Jesus flow through you

“To put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.” Ephesians 4:22-24

“I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” Galatians 2:20

The Holy Spirit is available to all who ask

“If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!” Luke 11:13

The Holy Spirit will take up residence in you if you make an appropriate home for Him

“Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.” 1 Corinthians 6:19-20

The Holy Spirit will highlight your opportunnities ot improve

“And when He has come (The Holy Spirit), He will convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment” John 16:8

The Holy Spirit will work in your heart and your mind, and even your physical body

“for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.” Philippians 2:13

“But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you.” John 14:26

“But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you.” Romans 8:11

As you renew your mind and reorient your thoughts and emotion, you will align your behaviors with God’s intention.

“And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” Romans 12:2

Shine like a beacon for the kingdom

“Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.” Matthew 5:14-16

Glorify the Father through the Son

“And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.” John 14:13

 

Become Love

Posted on by jakirkgasser10439

Your Mission Here Is To Become God’s Love In Action

Summary

He created this amazing place and put us here so that we could manifest His love, without humans, His love has no way to become useful. He gave us free will so that we could develop a conscience in this life,  discover Him, His Love and His Truth,  manifest His love on this earth, and live on with Him for eternity. Mankinds free will has gotten us into a lot of trouble over the years. The sinful nature we each now inherit keeps us self conscious and self centered and separates us from God and His agenda for us. He came here in person, in human form, to restore what was lost by Adam and to provide us a path out of the mess we made. We need to renounce our prior flawed ways and fully commit to follow Him going forward. He actually wants to come and live inside us to help us make this happen. This involves a complete transformation of your thinking, your words, and your behaviors. We need to shift from thinking about ourselves and our own interests in this world to thinking about God’s agenda for His kingdom and how we can be of service to Him through our lives here. The fancy words used in scripture are “Crucify” your flesh. Basically all of the temporary earthly interests of our physical being need to be subordinated to God’s interest in developing our eternal soul. Anything less than a full commitment to transformation will delay the benefits and continue to propagate undesired consequences for you and those around you.  

The following is my scriptural logic chain for what is going on.

  • God is love (1 john 4:8)
  • God made man in His image (Genesis 1:27)
  • The image of God was corrupted and died when Adam sinned and ate of the tree in the garden (Genesis 2:17)
    • Adam’s heart became self-centered (Genesis 3:3-6)
      • He wanted to be like a God and know Good and Evil
      • They listened to a lie – “You will not surely die if you eat of the tree”
      • They decided to ignore God’s one command and chose to eat of that tree
    • Adam’s nature changed, he became self-conscious as a result of that decision
      • He became conscious of his nakedness, hid himself, and became afraid (Genesis 3:7,10)
      • They deflected blame for their decision – Blamed Snake, Blamed Eve, Blamed God (Genesis 3:12-14)
    • Adam and Eve suffered consequences of separation from God (Genesis 3:13-16)
      • Exile form the garden
      • Labor, Suffering, Death
    • All have inherited that sinful nature and suffer in this fallen world (Romans 5:12)
  • God loves you
    • He loves you so much He sent His only son (John 3:16)
    • You know He loves you because He sent His son (1 John 4:9-10)
  • Jesus came to restore that which was lost, The image of God in us, our original purpose (Matthew 18:11)
    • Jesus came in the form of sinful flesh to take the burden of sin off of us (Romans 8:3-5)
    • Jesus’ blood covers that sinful nature and allows us to be born again (Romans 5:19)
  • His goal is for you to become love (1 Timothy 1:15), to be rooted and grounded in love (Ephesians 3:17)
  • Pure Love Is powerful when it is in you (1 Cor 13:4-7)
      • It suffers long
      • It is kind
      • It never seeks its own. ex, Never expect an I love you back…
      • It bears, believes, hopes, endures all things
  • His Love is perfected when it flows through you to others (1 John 4:12)
  • He wants to come and live in you to help you enable that flow
    • Youre body is God’s temple (1 Cor 3:16)
    • Your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit.  Glorify God with your body. (1 Cor 6:19-20)
    • We have this treasure (Christ Jesus) in earthen vessels (2 Corinthians 4:6-7)
    •  Christ in you, the Hope of Glory (Collosians 1:27)
    • “Christ is in you” (Romans 8:10)
  • You must get your ”self” out of the way so He can come in
    • Present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable ( Romans 12:1)
  • Deny Yourself, Pick Up Your Cross, and Follow Me (Matthew 16:24)
    • Deny your self, and your self-centered interests
      • Crucify your self-conscious interests / self-centered agendas
        • Give up your life to find it (Matthew 16:25)
        • Do not love the world or things in the world (1 John 2:15)
        • Be in the world, not of the world (John 17:16-18)
        • Get out of the carnal mind, Do not love the flesh (Romans 8:7-9)
        • Renounce ungoldliness and worldy passions, live self-contolled, uprght and godly lives (Titus 2:12)
      • Clues that you have not yet fully crucified your “self”
        • I deserve…
        • I want…
        • I feel…
        • I am offended by…
        • I am embarrassed by…
    • Pick up your Cross
      • Resist temptation 
        • Guart your heart, out of it flows the issues of life ( Proverbs 4:23)
        • Beware of your desires, they concieve sin ( James 1:14-15)
      • You will stand out when you refuse to participate in things of this world
      • You will suffer persecution at the hands of others in this world
      • Do not let sin against you become sin in you
        • Forgive them for they know not what they do (Luke 23:34)
    • Follow Jesus
      • Make Jesus Lord of your life
        • It is no longer ME that lives but Jesus through me (Galatians 2:20)
        • Submit your self to God. ( James 4:7)
        • Submit to God and be at peace with Him (Job 22:21)
      • Yield yourself fully to Him – 100% Committment – Not compliance
        • Your are not your own, you were bought with a price (1 Cor 6:20) 
        • He paid a high price for you (1 Cor 7:23)
        • “And whoever does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me.” Matthew 10:38
      • Speak outloud your comittment to yield your self to Him 
        • My Eyes to see from His perspective
        • My Ears to Hear and understand His word
        • My Heart to love Him and His Kingdom
        • My Mouth to give Him praise
        • My Hands to do His work
        • My Feet to follow where He leads
        • My Resources to serve Him and His kingdom
        • My urges and desires to do His will
      • Follow Him
        • Become a Disciple
        • Get to know Him
        • Follow His commandments –  Love God with ALL your heart,  Love your neighbors more than yourself
        • Follow in His Steps (1 Peter 2:21)
        • Follow where He leads you
    • He is working to shape you, you need to submit and let Him
      • God is the potter, we are the clay. (Isaiah 64:8) 
      • Will the clay say to the potter, ‘What are you doing?’ (Isaiah 45:9)
    • Become Like Him, Become Love in Action
      • Speak the truth in love, Grow up into all things in Christ (Ephesians 4:15)
      • Walk in the light as He is in the light (1 John 1:7)
    • Shine as a bright light in the darkness to bring glory to the Father
      • You are the light of the world (Matthew 5:14)
      • Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven. (Matthew 5:16)

  • Wait, I’m not ready to deny myself and submit to Him

If you are not willing to deny yourself and follow Jesus – it is a sign you love your earthly “self” more than you love God and His kingdom. You are more focused on satisfying the wants and desires of your temporary physical earthly body rather than investing to develop your spiritual body to fully optimize your life on earth and prepare yourself so you can spend eternity with God.

Maybe you don’t fully appreciate how much He loves you: All He has done to put you here, All He has invested in you with passions to help you find your true purpose and talents to help you be productive. Maybe you don’t appreciate all He does to support you every second of every day with food in your mouth, housing over your head, clothes on your back, and air in your lungs, All He has done to arrange people in your life to love you, to teach you and support you, Maybe you don’t appreciate how badly He wants to spend eternity with you in heaven, He loves you so much He sent His son so you could fulfil His plans for you.

Maybe you don’t fully appreciate the consequences of not submitting yourself to Him in this life. He knows you inside and out, and He knows your heart. He will give you exactly what you love in your heart; If you forget Him, He will forget you. Sin separates us from Him; If we do not love Him with all of our heart, we will remain separated from Him. If you leave this life loving yourself more than you love God, you will spend eternity with yourself and people just like you rather than spending it with God and with people who love God. The hells are filled with people who chose to focus on themselves and live separated from God.

Maybe deep down inside you are concerned that if you commit to follow Jesus, your earthly oriented activities will be exposed and you will need to stop.

Maybe you just don’t want to give up control; It is your life to live after all. He makes it clear that anyone who tries to save his earthly oriented life will lose it eventually, but anyone who gives up control of his earthly life will discover and awaken a spiritual based life that through Jesus that will transform the earthly life experience and extend into eternity.

The idea is to shift perspective on things: You are an eternal being in a temporary earthly body. You have a purpose here. The purpose can not be fulfilled as long as there are self-orienrted, self-conscious, self-centered agendas at play. He wants to come into you and help you identify those agendas, root them out, and help you transform so you can fulfill your purpose. He can only do that if you get yourself out of the way, invite Him in and listen to Him. He promises that the only things you will loose are the things you were not intended to have.

Ask Him to help you sort your agendas and your activities.

Are you drawing ever closer to God: searching, seeing, listening, learning, gaining understanding

Are you living in a thankful perspective: Continually recognizing what God has done, is doing, will do. Expressing praise and thanksgiving

Are you experiencing God’s love: He sent His son to die for you, so you could live life through Him. Raise Jesus up and Recieve Him as Lord. 

Are you finding more and more ways to flow His love to others through your thoughts, words, and actions.

Are you executing in alignment with His will, avoiding self-centered or self-serving agendas.

Are you living a life worthy of the price He paid?

Are you presenting yourself as a vessel worthy of His presence?

Are you using your passions and talents to serve God and others, or just yourself?

Are you using your resources to serve God and others, or just yourself? (Things, Money, Time)

Are you making yourself available for His use?

Are you reflecting and repenting on your thoughts words and actions as you strive to improve

Just some things to consider

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Supporting Scripture

God is love

“He who does not love does not know God, for God is love.” 1 John 4:8

God made man in His image

“So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.” Genesis 1:27

Adam annd Eve listened to the devil and His lies

“Then the serpent said to the woman, ‘You will not surely die. For God knows that in the day you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” Genesis 3:4-5.

Adam became self-centered, wanted to become like a god, and chose to ignore Gods rule

“So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree desirable to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate. She also gave to her husband with her, and he ate.” Genesis 3:6

Sin changed Adam’s very nature – His eyes were opened, he became self-conscious – fear, naked

“Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves coverings.” Geneiss3:7

“So he said, ‘I heard Your voice in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; and I hid myself.’” Genesis 3:10

They each deflect blame for their error

“Then the man said, ‘The woman whom You gave to be with me, she gave me of the tree, and I ate.’” Genesis 3:12

“The woman said, ‘The serpent deceived me, and I ate.’” Genesis 3:14

Adam and Eve suffer consequences of sin and the resulting separation from God

“To the woman He said: ‘I will greatly multiply your sorrow and your conception; In pain you shall bring forth children; Your desire shall be for your husband, And he shall rule over you.” Genesis 3:16

“Then to Adam He said, ‘Because you have heeded the voice of your wife, and have eaten from the tree of which I commanded you, saying, ‘You shall not eat of it’: ‘Cursed is the ground for your sake; In toil you shall eat of it All the days of your life. Both thorns and thistles it shall [b]bring forth for you, And you shall eat the herb of the field.  In the sweat of your face you shall eat bread Till you return to the ground, For out of it you were taken; For dust you are, And to dust you shall return.” Genesis 3:17-19

We all now inherit Adam’s sinful nature and suffer in this fallen world

“Therefore, just as through one man sin entered the world, and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men, because all sinned.” Romans 5:12

God’s Loves You

“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. John 3:16

“In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him.  In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins.” 1 John 4:9-10

“But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8

“What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?  He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?” Romans 8:31-32

“Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?

As it is written: ‘For Your sake we are killed all day long; We are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.’

“Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8:33-39

Jesus redeemed that which was lost through Adam – to restore the image of God in us.

“For the Son of Man has come to save that which was lost.” Matthew 18:11

“For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so also by one Man’s obedience many will be made righteous.” Romans 5:19

“For what the law could not do in that it was weak through the flesh, God did by sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, on account of sin: He condemned sin in the flesh” Romans 8:3

Our purpose is to be rooted and gounded in Love, to become love.

“For this reason I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ…that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man, that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height— to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.” Ephesians 3:14-19

“Now the purpose of the commandment is love from a pure heart, from a good conscience, and from sincere faith” 1 Timothy 1:5

Pure love is powerful when it is in us

“Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up;  does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil;  does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth;  bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.” 1 Corinthians 13:4-8

His love is perfected when it flows through us

“No one has seen God at any time. If we love one another, God abides in us, and His love has been perfected in us.” 1 John 4:12

He wants to come and live inside us to enable that flow of Love.

“Jesus answered him, ‘If anyone loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him.'” John 14:23 

“But if Christ is in you, though the body is dead because of sin, the spirit is life because of righteousness.”Romans 8:10

“For it is the God who commanded light to shine out of darkness, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.  But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us.” 2 Corinthians 4:6-7

“To them (us,the saints) God willed to make known what are the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles: which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.”Colossians 1:27

We need to get ourselves out of the way and make a place for Him.

“For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it.” Matthew 16:25

Crucify Your Flesh

“For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit.” Romans 8:5

“Because the carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be. So then, those who are in the flesh cannot please God.” Romans 8:7-9

“Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.” 1 John 2:15

“Training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age,” Titus 2:12

“Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry.” Colossians 3:5

And He was saying to them all, “If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross daily and follow Me.” Luke 9:23. Matthew 16:24, Mark 8:34

“”knowing this, that our old self was crucified with Him, in order that our body of sin might be done away with, so that we would no longer be slaves to sin;” Romans 6:6

“Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.” Galatians 5:24

Submit yourself completely to Jesus

“Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.” James 4:7

“Submit to God and be at peace with him; in this way prosperity will come to you.” Job 22:21

“I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.” Galatians 2:20

He paid a high price for you

“You were bought at a price; do not become slaves of men.” 1 Corinthians 7:23

Present Your Self as a Temple Worhty of His Presence

“Or do you not know that your body is a temSupportingple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.” 1 Corinthians 6:19-20

“I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship” Romans 12:1

Resiste Temptation – It starts in the heart

“Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life.” Proverbs 4:23 

“But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death.” James 1:14-15

Seporate yourself from the world

“They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth. As You sent Me into the world, I also have sent them into the world.” John 17:16-18

Pick up your cross.  Do not let sin agaisnt you become sin in you

“Then Jesus said, ‘Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they’re doing…'” Luke 23:34 

Follow in His Steps

“For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps.”1 Peter 2:21

He is trying to shape you, you need to submit and let Him

“But now, O Lord, You are our Father;
We are the clay, and You our potter;
And all we are the work of Your hand.” Isaiah 64:8

“Woe to the one who quarrels with his Maker—
An earthenware vessel among the vessels of earth!
Will the clay say to the potter, ‘What are you doing?’
Or the thing you are making say, ‘He has no hands’?” Isaiah 45:9

Become Love

“Love has been perfected among us in this: that we may have boldness in the day of judgment; because as He is, so are we in this world.” 1 John 4:17

“speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head—Christ” Ephesians 4:15

Shine as a light in the darkness

“But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.” 1 John 1:7

“You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden.” Matthew 5:14

“Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.” Matthew 5:16

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Supporting Resources

 

All Sin is against God

Posted on by jakirkgasser10439

All Sin is against God Alone

 

Thought for the day: All sin is against God

God set some rules in place so His kingdom can operate properly.  Most folks dont realize it, but those rules are also designed to protect you from yourself. We Sin when we decide to violate one of those rules. Ex: He said thou shalt not steal. If we decide to take something that does not belong to us, we have sinned. The person we took it from is a victim, but the actual sin was the decision to go against God’s rule; We chose to ignore His rule; We decided that our agenda was more important than His; That our will was more important than His. It is really a battle of the wills. He will let you wage the battle and suffer the consequences. When you choose to sin, you separate yourself from His protection and open yourself to attack from the devil who brings on the consequences. Eventually you are supposed to figure out that maybe there is a better way; some of these decisions might not be working out so well. I hope folks figure this out quickly before there is too much unnecessary suffering.
I have come to appreciate that one of the primary reasons we are on this earth is to work through the transformation from being selfish and self-centered to embracing the bigger picture: God’s love for us, Jesus’ sacrifice for us, our eternal life, how to live a life now worthy of the price He paid for it and lay the groundwork for our eternal life somewhere nice. Once you get that perspective and work through the process, you begin to see that your best you is release when you remove your ego and self-centered motives from getting in the way. That improved you is the you what Jesus paid the price for; the you that focuses on the Lord, and does things for others because He loves you and He loves them. This brings great value to the kingdom, and brings glory to the father.
Figuring out that all sin is against God was a key step for me to get my mind on the right path for this journey. Challenge yourself: are you really loving God with all your heart, mind, soul and strength, are your really loving all others as yourself? I hope it helps you get “you” out of the way.

My Prayer:

Heavenly father, I thank you for loving me, putting me here with a purpose, and never giving up on me. Jesus, I thank you for coming here, leading a sinless life, demonstrating the power of the holy spirit, and suffering and dying so we could live. Thank you for presenting me righteous to the Father, I am fully committed to living a life worthy of the price you paid. Thank you for releasing the Holy Spirit to teach me and guide me. Thank you for continuing to work inside me, helping me transform. Thank you for continuing to help me root out these self-centered agendas and become ever more focused on you and your kingdom. Thank you for putting me in a position to continue your work as a proud member of the body of Christ. I ask that you continue to help folks develop eyes to see things from your perspective, to develop their ears to hear your word and apply it to their life, and to have a warm heart to receive your love and flow it to others through their lives. I ask this in Jesus name. AMEN

Reference verses:

All sin is against God:
David to God after committing adultery and conspiring to murder: “Against You, You only, have I sinned, And done this evil in Your sight….” (Psalm 51:4)
Sin separates you from God’s protection:
“But your iniquities have separated you from your God; And your sins have hidden His face from you, So that He will not hear.” (Isaiah 59:2)
Without His protection, you become exposed to attack:
The Lord to Hosea when discussing ongoing sin in early Israel: “For Israel is stubborn Like a stubborn calf; Now the Lord will let them forage like a lamb in open country. (Hosea 4:16)
Sin is a product of our mind:
“Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded.” (James 4:8)
Our mind is at war with God:
“Because the carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be.” (Romans 8:7)
Our job is to transform our mind from being selfish and self-centered and to loving God and bringing His will into place on earth:
“And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” (Romans 12:2)
And when we do it right – His will is done on earth through us:
“Our Father in Heaven, Hallowed by thy name.
Your kingdom come. Your will be done
On earth as it is in heaven.” (Matthew 6:10)