Transformation and Renewal - We Need Both

This message was kept secret for centuries and generations past, but now it has been revealed to God’s people. For God wanted them to know that the riches and glory of Christ are for you... Christ lives in you. This gives you assurance of sharing his glory. So we tell others about Christ, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all the wisdom God has given us. We want to present them to God, perfect (mature) in their relationship to Christ. (Colossians 1:26-28)

The message is clear - God wants us in his family. There are unrealized riches awaiting all those who say yes to Jesus. Because Christ lives in us, all that Christ possesses - his riches and glory - are shared by those who enter into this relationship. The more we hear this message, the more it should strike a chord within our hearts that reminds us just how much we are loved. We could have been abandoned to our sin, but God chose to give us the very thing that would cause sin to relinquish its control over our lives - Christ's power and presence. Both lead to us having perfect peace that passes all understanding.

Sometimes we need a warning, while at other times we are quite open to whatever wisdom God gives. Why? There are times when we just move headlong toward the things that will lead us into bondage of some kind, all the while knowing in our minds that it isn't good to go that direction. We might not realize it, but God wants us to embrace his teaching, heed his warnings, and step into his peace more than anything else. Why? We move away from sin and closer to his heart whenever we do.

The message is written in our hearts at the point of salvation - a message meant to be shared, not so much in words as in renewed (different) actions. We might not see ourselves changing, but little by little, his Word is transforming us and his power is renewing us. Our choices are changing. Our attitude is adjusted so that others see something of Jesus in us. Transformation is both immediate, while renewal is ongoing. Remain in Christ and you will see both the transformation and the renewal. Just saying!