Sometimes we come to Jesus as wounded spouses or perhaps adults who carry pains inflicted upon us within our youth. Plus, our lives suffer from the self-inflicted damage we have done through our choices and actions which can rob us of a full life. And so we very desperately want the joy, peace and hope which Jesus extends to the world. But sometimes, it seems as though we want to enjoy these blessings without first being transformed. It is as though we are saying, "Jesus, just give me a pill to make my life great. But please don't ask me to make any real fundamental changes about what I value and how I see things."
Whenever we choose to respond to Jesus, first his scalpel cuts deep to remove the plague which has infested our lives. Colossians 2:11-13 If we believe in Jesus and will respond to him, through God's power we can be raised up with Christ out of the waters of baptism sinless, cleansed from all of our guilty past. But this surgery is not the end of his work in healing our lives; it is only the beginning.
This greatest of doctors does not merely write out a prescription for a happiness pill to his new patient, rather he prescribes a compete overhaul. Receiving Jesus is so much more than just accepting the gift of salvation, it involves being raised up with Christ that we might set our hearts and minds upon things above. Colossians 3:1-2 This transformation necessitates casting off worldly perspectives with their accompanying godless values in order to learn from Christ how to live with a whole new mentality. Ephesians 4:17-24 What are some of the girders supporting this new perspective on life?
• Be kind and forgive others just as God has forgiven us. Ephesians 4:32; Colossians 3:13• Love one another in the same way in which Jesus has loved us. In other words, seek the well being of others instead of circling our wagons around just our own interests. John 13:34; Philippians 2:4; Colossians 3:14
• Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness and God will provide for our physical necessities. Matthew 6:25-34
• Our lives are not measured by how much we possess. Luke 12:15
• Do not love the world or live for anything in it. Rather, love God and seek His will. 1 John 2:15-17; Matthew 6:22-24
To reap the blessings associated with the Spirit we must first sow to the Spirit and thus walk in the Spirit. Galatians 6:7-10; 5:22-26 Accordingly, if we have died with Christ to this world and are now living for him, we will be able to say with Paul, "I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances." Philippians 4:11 And the peace of God will be guarding our hearts and our minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:7
The Great Physician does not dispense happiness pills to superficially medicate the symptoms of our ruined lives. The peace and joy promised to Christians does not come from taking a Jesus pill; it is the consequence of the Great Physician completely transforming us from within. But this Healer and Restorer of lives faces a daunting challenge. Are we willing to be made whole or do we just want a quick happiness pill?
Barry Newton Copyright © 2000, Revised 2003
Other articles which may be of interest:
Our Decisions and Values Create "Life Momentum"
The Healing God Who Confronts (God makes us face our guilt)
To Be a Christian Involves Breaking Down One's Idols
Training the Mind (We Create Our Own Perceptions)
Central
Church of Christ Home
Page