LOVE DID THIS!
Being transformed into the image of Christ Jesus is not a light thing--it is major. It took much to make it happen, and it takes much to keep it transforming and renewing day to day--but we aren't the ones doing it. We benefit, but we get no credit for it. It is "the love of Christ" that "controls and urges and impels us, because we are of the opinion and conviction that [if] One died for all, then all died; And He died for all, so that all those who live might live no longer to and for themselves, but to and for Him Who died and was raised again for their sake". [2 Corinthians 14, 15, AMP] Why are we so proud and boastful? All we have to offer is nothing. Paul (with all of his education and religious training--and it was the best there was; elite, reserved for the cream of the crop) called all of that human effort and outward stuff that impresses people, but not God, DUNG. We don't think like Paul--or like God.
Most of us, revel in the Th.D's, D.D.'s, and the titles--from deacon to prophetess, evangelist, elder, bishop, lady and apostle--so much so, until we covet them rather than the real gifts, "the best gifts". We are beside ourselves--but not as Paul and the early apostles, who were beside themselves with the Gospel, with love for God, His people, unity in the Body and grace. We have strayed so far from the simplicity of the Gospel until we would most likely be unrecognizable to the apostles if they were dropped into the midst of most of our churches, today. I could just imagine them as our adulterated version of the Word goes forth, weeping and saying, " this is not what was meant and the Word of God has been twisted and contorted to suit the carnal whims of the modern man".
Grace is simple. We try to mix it with everything else and when we do, it is no longer grace. When you add the Law (Mosaic), it is no longer grace--ask the Galatian saints, that Paul called "bewitched". When you add man-made rules and doctrines to control others, it is no longer grace--ask the Pharisee's that Jesus rebuked, severely in Matthew 23:4. Just ask anyone today, who has lived under the weight of legalism for a lifetime, and discovered true grace--that God is indeed the Reconciler Who transforms, and all that any of us can do is invite Him to do the work in us--to choose His will for our lives, over our own. That's how grace happens--that is how sin loses its grip and control over us so that we can say, "But thanks be to God, Who gives us the victory [making us conquerors] through our Lord Jesus Christ."
2 Corinthians 5:18 says, "But all things are from God" and verse 19 says, "It was God [personally present] in Christ, reconciling and restoring the world to favor with Himself, not counting up and holding against [men] their trespasses [but cancelling them], and committing to us the message of reconciliation (of the restoration to favor)." It was for us, but not one bit of it was done by us, nor is it really about us--it is all about God and His desire to have a holy people, who are like Him--in His Image.
His love for us was so magnanimous that He "For our sake He made Christ [virtually] to be sin Who knew no sin, so that in and through Him we might become [endued with, viewed as being in, and examples of] the righteousness of God [what we ought to be, approved and acceptable and in right relationship with Him, by His goodness]." [2 Corinthians 5:21, AMP]
Simply put--AMAZING!!!
Most of us, revel in the Th.D's, D.D.'s, and the titles--from deacon to prophetess, evangelist, elder, bishop, lady and apostle--so much so, until we covet them rather than the real gifts, "the best gifts". We are beside ourselves--but not as Paul and the early apostles, who were beside themselves with the Gospel, with love for God, His people, unity in the Body and grace. We have strayed so far from the simplicity of the Gospel until we would most likely be unrecognizable to the apostles if they were dropped into the midst of most of our churches, today. I could just imagine them as our adulterated version of the Word goes forth, weeping and saying, " this is not what was meant and the Word of God has been twisted and contorted to suit the carnal whims of the modern man".
Grace is simple. We try to mix it with everything else and when we do, it is no longer grace. When you add the Law (Mosaic), it is no longer grace--ask the Galatian saints, that Paul called "bewitched". When you add man-made rules and doctrines to control others, it is no longer grace--ask the Pharisee's that Jesus rebuked, severely in Matthew 23:4. Just ask anyone today, who has lived under the weight of legalism for a lifetime, and discovered true grace--that God is indeed the Reconciler Who transforms, and all that any of us can do is invite Him to do the work in us--to choose His will for our lives, over our own. That's how grace happens--that is how sin loses its grip and control over us so that we can say, "But thanks be to God, Who gives us the victory [making us conquerors] through our Lord Jesus Christ."
2 Corinthians 5:18 says, "But all things are from God" and verse 19 says, "It was God [personally present] in Christ, reconciling and restoring the world to favor with Himself, not counting up and holding against [men] their trespasses [but cancelling them], and committing to us the message of reconciliation (of the restoration to favor)." It was for us, but not one bit of it was done by us, nor is it really about us--it is all about God and His desire to have a holy people, who are like Him--in His Image.
His love for us was so magnanimous that He "For our sake He made Christ [virtually] to be sin Who knew no sin, so that in and through Him we might become [endued with, viewed as being in, and examples of] the righteousness of God [what we ought to be, approved and acceptable and in right relationship with Him, by His goodness]." [2 Corinthians 5:21, AMP]
Simply put--AMAZING!!!
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