Experiencing God’s Transformative Power

Hebrews 7:25 “He is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him” (NKJV). It is Jesus who saves us; our job is to surrender to Him, claiming His victory for us.

Our trust must be in Him, not in ourselves.

Think about the incredible power of God, the One who created and sustains the entire cosmos. We can barely grasp the idea of the cosmos; how then could we even begin to grasp the Creator of it?

When we consider the incredible power of God, who created and sustains the entire cosmos, it becomes apparent that our finite human minds are incapable of fully comprehending His greatness, majesty, and omnipotence. The vastness and complexity of the cosmos is beyond our understanding, and it is only a reflection of the Creator’s power and wisdom.

Psalm 19:1 states, “The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.” The cosmos serves as a testimony to the power and wisdom of God, demonstrating His creativity and control over all things. As we marvel at the universe, we can begin to appreciate the magnitude of the Creator’s power, though we cannot fully grasp it.

In contemplating the Creator of the cosmos, we are reminded of our own limitations and the need to depend on God’s wisdom and strength, rather than relying on our own understanding. As Proverbs 3:5-6 advises, “Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.” By acknowledging God’s greatness and submitting ourselves to His guidance, we can grow in our relationship with Him and develop a deeper understanding of His character, even if we cannot fully comprehend His infinite power.

Think about how much greater and vaster and more powerful He is than we are. And this God will one day judge us? How do these facts help us understand the idea of the “fear of God” and what it means?

The realization that God is so much greater, vaster, and more powerful than we are, and that He will one day judge us, helps us understand the idea of the “fear of God” in the context of awe, reverence, and respect. This fear is not about terror or dread but about recognizing God’s authority, His sovereignty, and our utter dependence on Him.

When we grasp that the omnipotent Creator of the universe will judge us, we can better appreciate the importance of living in accordance with His will and striving to develop a relationship with Him. The “fear of God” is the acknowledgement of His supremacy and the realization that our actions and choices have eternal consequences.

Ecclesiastes 12:13-14 emphasizes this point: “Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the duty of all mankind. For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil.”

The fear of God is a driving force that motivates us to live righteously, pursue holiness, and walk humbly before Him. When we live in the fear of God, we show our love and devotion to Him by obeying His commandments and seeking His guidance in our lives.

Proverbs 1:7 states, “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction.” This fear of the Lord leads us to seek wisdom and understanding, which in turn draws us closer to God and aligns our lives with His purposes.

How can we avoid legalism when we discuss the biblical concepts of holiness, overcoming, and victory?

We can avoid legalism when discussing biblical concepts of holiness, overcoming, and victory by focusing on the following principles:

1. Emphasize the role of grace: Remind ourselves and others that it is by God’s grace that we are saved and sanctified (Ephesians 2:8-9). Our efforts to live holy lives should be a response to God’s love and grace, not a means to earn salvation.
2. Foster a relationship with Jesus: Encourage a personal, intimate relationship with Jesus Christ as the foundation for spiritual growth and transformation. Holiness and victory come as a result of abiding in Him and allowing His Spirit to work within us (John 15:4-5).
3. Focus on the heart transformation: Rather than concentrating solely on external actions or rule-following, emphasize the importance of inner transformation and the renewal of the heart (Ezekiel 36:26-27). Genuine holiness comes from a heart that loves and desires to please God.
4. Encourage dependence on the Holy Spirit: Recognize that it is the Holy Spirit who empowers and enables us to overcome sin and live victoriously (Galatians 5:16-18). We must rely on His guidance and strength, acknowledging our own limitations.
5. Emphasize love as the foundation: When discussing holiness and obedience, always point back to love as the motivating factor. Jesus said that the greatest commandment is to love God and love our neighbors (Matthew 22:37-40). Our pursuit of holiness should be driven by love, not a desire to simply follow rules.
6. Practice humility: Recognize that we all fall short of God’s glory and are in need of His grace and mercy (Romans 3:23). When discussing holiness, overcoming, and victory, approach the topic with humility, acknowledging that we are all on a journey towards spiritual maturity.

By focusing on these principles, we can discuss holiness, overcoming, and victory without falling into the trap of legalism. Instead, we can inspire and encourage one another to grow in our relationship with Jesus and live lives that reflect His love and grace.

Why must we always understand that it was Christ’s victory for us, at the cross, that alone remains the foundation of our hope of salvation, regardless of our victories (or even failures) here now?

It is crucial to understand that Christ’s victory at the cross is the sole foundation of our hope of salvation because:

1. Salvation is a gift of grace: Our salvation is a gift from God, not something we can earn through our works or personal victories. Ephesians 2:8-9 states, “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast.” Recognizing Christ’s victory as the basis of our salvation keeps us focused on the grace of God and prevents us from falling into the trap of self-righteousness or legalism.
2. Christ’s atonement is all-sufficient: Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross provided a perfect and complete atonement for our sins. As it says in Hebrews 10:14, “For by one sacrifice he has made perfect forever those who are being made holy.” Christ’s victory at the cross assures us that His atonement is sufficient to cover our sins, regardless of our personal victories or failures.
3. Our righteousness comes from Christ: We cannot attain righteousness on our own; it is only through faith in Jesus that we are declared righteous before God. In 2 Corinthians 5:21, we read, “God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.” By understanding that our hope of salvation rests on Christ’s victory, we acknowledge that our righteousness comes from Him and not from ourselves.
4. Encourages reliance on Jesus: Recognizing that our salvation is based on Christ’s victory at the cross reminds us of our continual need to rely on Him. It teaches us to trust in His strength and guidance rather than relying on our own efforts to achieve spiritual growth and victory over sin (John 15:4-5).
5. Provides assurance and hope: When we understand that our hope of salvation is grounded in Christ’s victory, we can have confidence in God’s promises and rest in His love and grace. Romans 8:38-39 says, “For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” This assurance gives us hope and encouragement, even in the face of our failures and weaknesses.

In summary, understanding that our hope of salvation is based on Christ’s victory at the cross helps us to remain focused on the grace of God, acknowledge our dependence on Jesus, and find assurance and hope in His love and promises.

Why, even with all the promises of victory over sin, do we often find ourselves failing and not living up to the standard of righteousness that Jesus Himself modeled for us and promises us could be ours, as well?

Even with all the promises of victory over sin, we often find ourselves failing and not living up to the standard of righteousness that Jesus modeled for us and promises could be ours, due to several reasons:

1. Human nature: Our fallen human nature is inherently sinful and prone to temptation (Romans 7:18-19). As a result, we often struggle with our desires and find it challenging to consistently resist sin.
2. Lack of surrender: Complete surrender to God’s will is essential for experiencing victory over sin. However, we sometimes resist fully surrendering our lives to God, relying on our own strength and understanding, which leads to failure (Proverbs 3:5-6).
3. Inadequate reliance on the Holy Spirit: The Holy Spirit empowers us to overcome sin and live righteously (Galatians 5:16-25). However, we may not always fully rely on the Holy Spirit’s guidance and strength, hindering our spiritual growth and victory over sin.
4. Insufficient understanding of God’s grace: We may not fully grasp the depth of God’s grace and how it empowers us to overcome sin. Consequently, we may rely on our own efforts to achieve righteousness, which inevitably leads to failure (Ephesians 2:8-9).
5. Lack of spiritual disciplines: Consistent engagement in spiritual disciplines, such as prayer, Bible study, and fellowship, helps us grow in our relationship with God and become more Christlike (1 Timothy 4:7-8). Neglecting these practices can lead to spiritual stagnation and make it more challenging to resist temptation and sin.
6. Spiritual warfare: We are engaged in a spiritual battle against the forces of evil that seek to lead us astray (Ephesians 6:12). The enemy is constantly at work to deceive and tempt us, which can contribute to our failures.

To overcome these challenges and experience victory over sin, it is crucial to stay connected to Jesus, surrender our lives to Him, rely on the Holy Spirit’s guidance, and engage in spiritual disciplines that strengthen our faith and deepen our relationship with God (John 15:4-5; Galatians 5:16-25). By doing so, we can progressively grow in our walk with God and experience the righteousness and victory He promises.

What mistakes are we making in not allowing God to do the work in us that He has promised?

There are several mistakes we may make in not allowing God to do the work in us that He has promised:

1. Lack of surrender: Failing to fully surrender our lives, desires, and will to God can hinder His work in us. When we try to maintain control instead of yielding to His guidance, we may resist the transformative power of the Holy Spirit (Proverbs 3:5-6).
2. Neglecting spiritual disciplines: Consistently engaging in spiritual disciplines such as prayer, Bible study, worship, and fellowship is essential for spiritual growth. Neglecting these practices may limit our ability to hear God’s voice and allow Him to work in our lives (1 Timothy 4:7-8).
3. Reliance on self: Relying on our own strength, wisdom, or efforts to overcome sin and achieve righteousness prevents us from fully experiencing God’s transformative power. We need to recognize our dependence on God and trust in His strength to change us (Zechariah 4:6).
4. Impatience: Spiritual growth is often a gradual process. We may become impatient and expect instant change, which can lead to frustration and discouragement. We need to trust God’s timing and allow Him to work in us according to His plan (Philippians 1:6).
5. Unresolved sin: Unrepentant sin or unconfessed sin in our lives can create a barrier between us and God, making it difficult for us to experience His transformative power. We must be willing to acknowledge and confess our sins and seek God’s forgiveness (1 John 1:9).
6. Ignoring the Holy Spirit’s guidance: The Holy Spirit is our Helper and Guide in our spiritual journey (John 14:26). Ignoring or resisting the Holy Spirit’s guidance can hinder God’s work in our lives. We need to be sensitive to the Spirit’s leading and obedient to His promptings.
7. Unbelief: Doubting God’s promises or His ability to change us can limit His work in our lives. We must have faith in God’s promises and believe that He can and will transform us as we trust in Him (Hebrews 11:6).

To allow God to work in us as He has promised, we must surrender our lives to Him, engage in spiritual disciplines, trust in His power and timing, confess and repent of our sins, be sensitive to the Holy Spirit’s guidance, and have faith in God’s ability to change and transform us.

In our spiritual journey, it is essential to understand that our salvation is based on Christ’s victory at the cross and God’s grace, not our own works or achievements. Despite God’s promises of victory over sin, we often find ourselves failing due to our fallen human nature, lack of surrender, and inadequate reliance on the Holy Spirit, among other reasons. To allow God to work in us and experience the transformative power He has promised, we must fully surrender our lives to Him, engage in spiritual disciplines, trust in His power and timing, confess and repent of our sins, be sensitive to the Holy Spirit’s guidance, and have faith in God’s ability to change and transform us. By doing so, we can progressively grow in our walk with God and experience the righteousness and victory He promises.