Transforming Grace

by Gregg Gibbons

The left column describes ways I personally am subtly tempted to think and, consequently, deceived into trying to initiate all on my own.  There are grains of truth in these descriptions.  However, these ways of thinking and acting become totally self-centered when tainted by the original lie, which is rooted in Adam being subtly tempted to initiate something all on his own apart from the fullness of God’s provisions. 

The right column describes who I really am…who God re-created through the cross to be in the fullness of Christ.  God has me on a life-long journey lovingly breaking me from the old habits of self-initiation (left column) for me to increasingly experience Christ’s indwelling life initiating my true life, thereby revealing His glory to this world (right column).  I believe this is what Jesus means by “take up your cross daily and follow Me” (Mark 8:34-35).  I follow Him by responding to His precious life.  God is transforming my mind from thinking about the original lie subtly under cover in the left column to thinking about the living Truth gloriously revealed in the right column (Romans 12:2).

The great good news of the gospel is that Jesus is alive!  And the real me is not a separate, all-alone “self.”  I have been wondrously united with living Christ (Romans 6)!  As the deceiver tempts to divert my hope from this glorious Truth, God even uses these temptations to reveal the reality and beauty of Christ in me.  For remember, there is no longer a separate “me” to be tempted…that’s the bluff of the evil one, for he knows he has already been defeated through the cross.  Christ is alive and  is forever my life!

It’s ok if you feel like you have the initiative to do things. I hope this Transforming Grace table encourages you to see that your life is actually much more greater than that. J

“Self” initiation (flesh)

The perversion of me (a false identity)

Temptation through the lie (selfish pride)

Christ initiation (grace)

The real me (my true identity)

Transformation through the Truth (God’s glory)

Is a moral person.

Is a miraculous person.    2 Corinthians 5:17

Is subtly judgmental of others.

Is sincerely Jesus to others.    Acts 7:59-60

Critical of himself to be paralyzed by discouragement.

Entrusts his failures to be redeemed by God.    Philippians 3:7-11

Knows Scriptures.

Knows hope.    1 Peter 3:15, 1 Timothy 1:1

Reacts sporadically.

Acts spontaneously.    Colossians 1:28-29, 2:6-7

Seeks to lead some people to Christ.

Joyfully brings Christ to all people.    Matthew 28:19-20

Proudly overhears of his commitment to God.

Humbly overwhelmed by God’s commitment to him.    Romans 8:38-39

Becomes defensive when misunderstood.

Stands in God’s grace when misunderstood.    2 Timothy 1:12, 2:1

Listens to complaints from others.

Listens to others with compassion.    Matthew 9:36

Prays maybe a total of 10 minutes a day.

Prays without ceasing.    1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

Relates to God as servant.

Relates to God as son.    John 1:12-13

Motivated to perform for future rewards.

Compelled to love through Christ now.    2 Corinthians 5:14

Is in bondage to self-consciousness.

Is free to be genuine.    Galatians 5:1, 6

Humor used to build himself up at expense of others (life of party).

Humor used to build others up (imparting of life).    Ephesians 5:2-4

Worship is an event.

Worship is a lifestyle.    John 4:24

Articulate composure in public is important.

Is willing to feel awkward while being molded by God.    1 Corinthians 2:1-5

Victory is being rescued from bad circumstances.

Victory is experiencing Christ in all circumstances, good and bad.    1 John 5:4-5

Ministry is an important part of his life.

Ministry is his life (Christ is his ministry).   Colossians 3:4, 12, 13

Confesses sins for God’s forgiveness.

Confesses sins from God’s complete forgiveness.    Colossians 2:13

Prays for more patience be given to him.

Prays to experience more of the patience of Christ already in him.   Galatians 5:22

Peace is a feeling only when everything is going well.

Peace is a knowing his Father is in control of everything.    Philippians 4:6-7

Anger is a failure on his part.

Anger is God’s gift pointing to a deeper issue to be healed.    Ephesians 4:31-32   

Tears are a sign of weakness.

Tears are a sign of strong hope just before a resurrection.  Luke 22:44

Has power to change God by making Him sad or glad.

Trusts God’s power to perfectly accept him in Christ alone.    Ephesians 1:3-6

Some aspects of his past haunt him.

He has a glorious new past in Christ’s eternal life.    1 John 5:11-13, 20

Afraid of grace (views grace as license).

Embraces grace (knows grace as life…the very life of Christ).    Romans 6:1-9

 I fear, lest somehow, as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, so your minds may be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.

(2 Corinthians 11:3)

 

 

 

© 2005 Gregg Gibbons