I am a transformed follower of Jesus Christ!

This third paradigm, God gives us the power to choose, has to do with the way God transforms us spiritually. We are not passive bystanders when it comes to our becoming more like Christ. God asks us to take an active role in our transformation.

A common misconception that strips us of responsibility and hinders our spiritual growth claims, I’m just a sinner saved by grace, so I can’t expect to win all the time. As I’ve stated before, this misconception contains some truth to make it sound appealing and right. Yes, we are sinners and we are saved by grace. But the excuse that follows contradicts God’s Word. When we say “win” we’re talking about gaining victory over sin in our lives and replacing it with godliness.

Can we honestly hear Jesus telling his disciples, “Guys, because you’re sinners, don’t expect victory over sin all the time”? Even when Jesus told the twelve disciples that they would deny that they knew him, he led them out to the Mount of Olives and urged them, “Pray so that you will not fall into temptation.” (Luke 22:46)

The liberating truth that counters this misconception asserts I am a transformed follower of Jesus Christ. In him I possess everything I need to win every time! Jesus Christ is sufficient. He gives us the power to choose to follow him and do what’s right. Yes, it’s true we have a fallen nature, but Christ’s power is more than adequate.

Peter wrote, “You are a slave to whatever controls you.” (2 Peter 2:19 NLT) So to whom will we yield? Paul put it this way, “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” (Galatians 2:20)

Paul urged Timothy, “Train yourself to be godly. Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity.” (1 Timothy 4:7 & 12) Neither Timothy nor we can do this on our own, but by putting “our hope in the living God,” we can experience this kind of life transformation and victory! (1 Timothy 4:10)

©2009 Rob Fischer