Can we improve?

Are you so foolish and senseless? Having begun [your new life by faith] with the Spirit, are you now being perfected and reaching spiritual maturity by the flesh [that is, by your own works and efforts to keep the Law]? (Galatians 3:3)

Thinking we can 'improve upon' what grace has accomplished in our lives is one of the most 'over-practiced' things in the church today. Our new life in Christ is never 'improved upon' by our own works or efforts to be 'good' children. In fact, the over-emphasis on 'doing' instead of 'becoming' is actually a trap the enemy uses to keep us from 'becoming' who God created us to be. Too many times, we emphasize what it is a Christian 'does' instead of focusing on who that Christian is in Christ Jesus. We are called to live holy lives, but that doesn't mean we get to the place of holiness by doing a passel of good works!

For you [who are born-again have been reborn from above—spiritually transformed, renewed, sanctified and] are all children of God [set apart for His purpose with full rights and privileges] through faith in Christ Jesus. For all of you who were baptized into Christ [into a spiritual union with the Christ, the Anointed] have clothed yourselves with Christ [that is, you have taken on His characteristics and values]. (Galatians 3:26-27)

We are spiritually transformed, renewed, set apart for his purpose, not so we can 'do', but because God wants us to enter into this life of full rights and privileges IN CHRIST JESUS. Focus more on who we are becoming in Christ Jesus and the 'good works' will be an outflow of that nearness we feel for him. The more we learn at his feet, the more we will want to share that revelation with others - through our actions and our words. It is a 'spiritual union' that results in a changed life - one that focuses less on what one has to do and more on what one is becoming by sitting at his feet. A union suggests that there is a 'movement' that is simultaneous. 

It is the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives that begins the change, and it is his continued work within us that keeps us changing in the right direction. To think we can 'change' ourselves is just plain silly. We are incapable of such changed mind, soul, or spirit. We need the indwelling of the Spirit of God in order to be transformed. Time spent at his feet reveals where change is required - time spent in worship acknowledges the change that has begun. Remember this - we are 'becoming' what Jesus has already accomplished within us. Actions will change; heart attitudes will be transformed. The closer we get to Jesus, the more we will 'be' and the less we will use 'acts' to define who we are. Just sayin!