Wednesday, June 8, 2011

Marks of a Transformed Life

Church has been described by being a place where 'good people' teach 'good people' how to 'be good'.  Now, there is nothing wrong with 'being good', but according to God's Word, being good is not a way to get to heaven.  The Gospel shares and demands a transformation - from sin to righteousness, from  death to life, to be brought to Christ and then be equipped to live a life like Him.  

Transformation is to recognize the life of God in us and His ability to fully form His image in us.
Here are 8 Marks To Direct Us to live a transformed life:

1.  Surrender - living sacrificially - surrendered to God's plans instead of our own.
2.  Renewal - transformation begins in the mind.  We need a spiritual mind - a mind renewed by reading God's Word.
3.  God's Service - we are gifted by God to serve His church and to do His mission.  We are saved to serve.
4.  Love - as we bond with believers, God's love removes our selfishness and guides us to think of others.  Love is the one trait that distinguishes Christians from the world. 
5.  Diligence - Christian life is not a sprint, but a marathon.  It takes perseverance and persistence to keep going through good times and bad.
6.  Perspective - How we view our lives is how we carry out our ministry. Are we God - focused?
7.  Community - meeting the needs of one another is how transformation occurs.  When we rejoice with others who rejoice and weep when those who weep. 
8.  Righteousness - We are to model a life to others as a Christian.  We are to live out the Word of God.

These are outward marks of evidence of Christ living in us.  This is us in cooperation with God - this is true transformation.

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