July 6, 2018
The message of the
cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved
it is the power of God. 1 Cor 1:18
The cross wasn't endured
to improve our living, but radically change our lives.
They showed up at church one Sunday, and sat observing the
services with a skeptical eye. Both came
for different reasons --- the wife came hoping it would fix her husband, the
husband came hoping it would appease his wife.
Both came thinking maybe God could help their marriage.
Sunday after Sunday, they started discovering AHA moments in
the services, as both encouragement and challenge came out of each Sunday. Over time, their relationship DID improve,
they made new friendships, and they started enjoying a new season in their
lives with God. It seemed like God was
helping them do better in life. Soon
afterwards, they started taking trips, spending more time together, and
pursuing a much better life together as a married couple. Or at least that was the impression everyone
had --- because we didn’t see them around as much any more.
But did it really help?
Many people come to God looking for help with their lives,
and often find it. But just because
God’s ways help our lives doesn’t mean God is Lord of our lives. Jesus didn’t die on the cross to fix our
lives on earth, He died to TRANSFORM them!
There’s a BIG Difference!
Changing our life improves our time on earth – transforming
our life prepares us for heaven.
Changed living looks for forgiveness of the past –
transformed living looks for holiness in the present.
Changed lives want to just get into heaven – transformed
lives want to see more of Jesus.
The cross wasn’t a “get out of jail free” card so we could
live it up on earth. The cross was a
“get out of sin free” card so we could come face to face with a Holy God. Jesus doesn’t call us to simply change. He wants to transform our lives! That’s why it’s foolishness to the perishing,
because they really weren’t looking for transformation, just some simple
changes.
I don’t know what happened to that couple many
years ago, but I can tell you that if we don’t seek transformation, then
nothing else that gets better in this life really matters. Go back to the cross today and ask Jesus to
use the power of the cross to Transform your life! Don’t just change it for the temporary, live
for the eternal!
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