Transformation from the inside out

Does a person rightly call himself/herself a Christian because of what he/she believes, or by the way he/she lives? This is one of the great debates within the Bible writings. The author of the book of James frames the discussion very succinctly. In the second chapter of his epistle, he takes on the people who believe that faith and faith alone can make you whole. “Faith by itself without works is dead.” James continues, “Show me your faith apart from works, and I will show you my faith by my works.” I side with James in the debate.

A genuine Christian faith will always show itself by a style of life that is a pleasure to live and that is helpful to all those around.

Christianity is a faith that offers and encourages change. If a true faith relationship with Jesus exists, change takes place because Jesus was and is an agent of change. He challenges every injustice and seeks to heal every wound. I wrote the last sentence intentionally in the present tense because I believe the Spirit of Jesus is still with us and is the power of change for every person, every family, every group, every community, every nation that takes on his identity.

Christians talk a lot about a salvation that takes the believer into the heavens. This was not and is not the great intent of Jesus from Nazareth. The intent of Christian salvation is a whole, complete, satisfying life right here on earth. It is not a denial of heaven, but heaven can wait. The needs of the world cannot. All definitions of Christian salvation fall short if a changed, healthy life on this earth is not an intrinsic part of the life lived right here on earth. I challenge the reader to allow his/her mind to run the gamut of what a truly whole life would be like in every day living not in heaven but on earth. Being a whole person means satisfying relationships, meaningful work, opportunity for rest, people helping other people, a good book to read, generosity, opportunity for giving, freedom to cry and an abundance of laughter. Add to the list as you wish. Envision what a whole and complete life might include. This is the will of God in Christ for all of life and for every human being.

Paul did a lot of writing. He authored at least a third of the words that make up what we call the New Testament. I would never suggest that a reader must agree with everything Paul wrote. I argue with him often. However, much of the time he is right on target. He understood the workings of the mind in the renewal and transformation of life. “Have this mind in you that you have in Christ…” Believing in Jesus means thinking the same way that Jesus thought. In this particular passage from Philippians, Paul goes on to write about the blessings of life found in being a servant. The message is clear. When you think like Jesus, you become a servant.

In his Romans letter, Paul wrote “Do not be overcome by the world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds….to know what is good, acceptable, and perfect.” Again, the message is clear. When a person’s mind is transformed and renewed in Christ, a new kind of knowledge takes over and what is good, acceptable, and even perfect become clear to the believer.

I love the passage from Paul’s Philippians letter when he gives instruction about thinking.

“Whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is pleasing, whatever is commendable, whatever is praise worthy, whatever is excellent, think about these things.” Thinking is the key. The ways of Christ are to be pondered. If pondered, Christ’s ways become a Christian’s ways.

Our bathroom is a very special place. The largest wall-piece carries a great message — “We Create Our Tomorrows By What We Dream Today.” Dreaming in broad daylight is a great mind exercise. In Christ, we are challenged to see tomorrows that are worthy of our creator. God in Christ has not given up on this world and neither should we. Martin Luther King Jr. should not be our only dreamer. Every believer with faith in Jesus from Nazareth ought to be a dreamer intent on living out that dream.

Another piece of our bathroom art is a nicely framed quote from Paul’s Galatians letter.

“The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against such things.”

After reading those words hundreds of times, they begin to take over your mind. From your mind they go to your heart, then into the world.

First the mind, then the heart, then into the world. It is an inside out path. To be complete and whole, it must get out into the world.