The Elusive Prize of the Maturing Christ-Follower
As we mature in Christ, More Christ-like thoughts, emotions, and actions become ingrained. My question for the Lord is this: “How can I see greater progress toward this end, where my old self is completely dead, and my Christ-led self is consistently surrendered to the Holy Spirit?” Is this a difficult mountain to climb? For you, maybe not. However, for me, it appears like Mount Everest. INGRAINED The Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines ingrained as “forming a part of the essence or inmost being: deep-seated.” Its second definition: “worked into the grain or fiber,” also resonates. I know deep within my heart and soul that Christ has transformed me. I am also acutely aware that my flesh does not want to die fully. It resurrects itself in opposition to the complete surrender I sincerely want. As I strive to be an obedient Christ-follower, the Apostle Paul’s phrase, “But what I hate I do,” often comes to mind. Does this thought resonate with you? “We know that the law is spiritual; but I am unspiritual, sold as a slave to sin. I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do. And if I do what I do not want to do, I agree that the law is good. As it is, it is no longer I myself who do it, but it is sin living in me. For I know that good itself does not dwell in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. For I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing. Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it. So I find this law at work: Although I want to do good, evil is right there with me. For in my inner being I delight in God’s law; but I see another law at work in me, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within me. What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body that is subject to death? Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, I myself in my mind am a slave to God’s law, but in my sinful nature a slave to the law of sin.” Romans 7:14-25 NIV Yes! “For in my inner being I delight in God’s law” is so true. Thank God the mountain is not mine to climb. Christ ascended. His feat inspires me and shows me there are hills and valleys, but the journey is possible with Christ as my expert guide. GOD’S PART: HIS SOLUTION I am given hope for this situation, without which I would surely become dejected and discouraged and give up on the quest for ever-improving Christ-like thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. I’m very grateful that Romans 8 and onward solved my dilemma—this war within me between my “old man” and my “new creation.” “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death.” Romans 8:1-2 NIV Onward and upward! This scripture reminds me that I am no longer a slave to sin, but am a child of God. I wrote about this last month. You can read more about our freedom in Christ here: https://muellerd.substack.com/p/whom-the-son-sets-free. My dialogue with Christ is transcribed as follows: “Lord, what do you want me to know about this duality, and how can I instill more of your thoughts, behaviors, and actions in me?” Here’s the response I sensed from Christ: “Child, it is about progress, not perfection. Someday, you will be with me in heaven. Then, you will not have to deal with your sinful nature. Until then, it will humble you, and humility is of great worth as you go about your day, serving me.” As we seek deeper transformation in Christ, we must recognize that our continuous growth journey requires us to strive against our sinful nature. In Galatians, we’re given a further solution to this constant pull toward gratifying our carnal desires. Like climbing a hill, if we’re going to continue on this path that leads us upwards, we must keep going. Giving up is not an option for those who will make it over the summit. The Holy Spirit is my expert sherpa. “So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want.” Galatians 5:16-17 NIV This passage vividly illustrates the ongoing battle between Spirit and flesh. We are encouraged to live by the Spirit's guidance. To the degree that we do, is the degree we overcome sinful desires. God climbed the mountain we could not climb. The resurrection of Christ and the complete pardon for my sins past, present, and future do for me what I can’t do for myself. That was God’s part in this flesh versus spirit battle. But we have our part to play. We can not sit on the side of the path waiting, looking at the hill to climb, and wondering how to get over it. I must get up, and start walking. On my journey, I have a right leg and a left leg. These two legs, working together, will keep me on Christ’s path for me. They will do the same for you. Here they are:
RIGHT LEG: RESIST Our pushback on our sinful flesh will remain a worthy challenge. The Apostle Paul's struggles described in Romans 7 resonate with devout believers experiencing the natural internal conflict between their spiritual aspirations and human inclinations. “Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator.” Colossians 3:9-10 NIV This scripture calls us to abandon our old, sinful ways and highlights the continual renewal process that shapes us into the image of Christ. If obedience demands truthfulness with others, how much more so do we have to be truthful with ourselves? Tell the truth about your struggles. Practically speaking, that means sharing them with God in daily quiet times, sharing with one or more spiritual advisors, and sharing with our spouse or significant other. We need to be transparent to hold ourselves accountable. Many of the most outwardly-appearing Christ-followers and Christ-leaders “put themselves” under pseudo-accountability by failing to be transparent and share their deep struggles. It sounds good to the public, but in reality, there is no accountability at all. Here is a saying worth remembering: “We are only as sick as our secrets.” Share your flesh struggles with God and others. Don’t keep them to yourself. Confession is cathartic and cleansing. Using the hill-climbing metaphor, I must tell my sherpa guide if I run out of oxygen. If I wait too long, I will die. So too, if you harbor secret struggles, you’ll get worn out spiritually. Many well-known Christian pastors and leaders in history have had devastating, career-ending failures due to burn-out, which leads to moral failure. The news-worthy falls are just the tip of the iceberg of pastoral and ministry leader failures. It is an epidemic due to this very issue: Secrets. Push back by sharing what you are going through with God and others in the battle of flesh versus the Holy Spirit. Gain a mentor, advisor, or coach to talk to. We are a safe place to turn as you battle in the spiritual realm. LEFT LEG: SURRENDER In answering the call to become more like Christ, we must surrender everything to Him. One way that leads us to surrender is to immerse ourselves in scripture, for it is through God's Word that we find strength, guidance, and the promise of transformation. The Bible is replete with passages showing how to become more aligned with Christ's likeness. God’s Word offers great hope and practical guidance and refreshes us on our journey. One passage that comes to mind is Philippians, Chapter 2, where Paul exhorts us. “Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.” Philippians 2:12-13 NIV This scripture underscores the dynamic partnership between our efforts and God's work within, emphasizing transformation is a shared responsibility. CONCLUSION Christ has made the impossible climb for me, but I have hills to transverse, and I need to move my legs, one foot in front of the other, one step at a time. Left. Right. Left. Right. If we don’t do our part, God may not intervene or act to bring about the change we long to see. Yes, the end result is entirely up to God and a testament to His power working through us. However, we must do our part and earnestly desire to be changed by Christ by walking in surrender, and strength. I must move my legs to go in the direction Christ desires. Becoming totally Christ-like is akin to ascending the Mount Everest of salvation. It is impossible for us mortals. The amazing fact is Christ ascended there and beyond. He now sits at the right hand of God our Father, on most high. Through His Holy Spirit, He equips us with a sherpa to guide us. We can make it over the little hills and valleys we are called to transverse if we take these two steps, one after another after another. Left. Right. Left. Push back. Surrender. Push back. Surrender. Our journey is filled with the promise of divine assistance and transformation. Let us hold fast to scriptures such as Philippians 2:12-13, Galatians 5:16-17, and Colossians 3:9-10, for they offer the wisdom and encouragement we need to progress in our spiritual journey, despite the inevitable hills we encounter. Christ’s transformation of us will create ingrained change. The elusive prize of the maturing Christ-follower, Christ-likeness, will materialize if we intentionally push back against sin and surrender in every deepening way to Christ. Enjoy your walk with our Lord! May you travel well. Your aspiring servant, Daniel M. April 14, 2024 POSTSCRIPT: Dear friends, if this transparent “Conversations with Christ” blesses you, please go to www.SOLIDpastors.org, where you will find these posted, and a repository of all, in English and Spanish. If you ever want to chat, you can reach me at [email protected]. May Christ bless you richly as you have your own intimate conversations with Christ. Biblical Success Strategies and Tactics for Gaining Greater Self-Control I often try to practice self-discipline and self-control. At times, I succeed, and at times, I fail. As I’ve explored this topic, God has been teaching me the deeper meaning of this well-known prayer: “God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I can not change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.” - The Serenity Prayer So much of my sanctification journey in Christ has been about surrender. “Letting go and letting God” had been a recurring theme. But now, I see I have a big part to play in this process. Not only do I have to let go of trying to control people, places, and things, but I also need to courageously change the one thing I can change more than any other: Me! We need greater self-control and self-discipline to control the “controller” inside of us. Therefore, let’s turn to the perfect source to gain wisdom on this subject, and see what God’s Holy Word says. To begin my study of this topic, I looked up over thirty New Testament scriptures that addressed the subject and selected the top eight for more in-depth reflection and inspiration. THE SOURCE OF SELF-DISCIPLINE The foundational truth is that God is the source of all self-discipline. "For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline." - 2 Timothy 1:7 NIV This verse directly links the gift of the Holy Spirit to the capacity for self-discipline, indicating it as a divine attribute bestowed upon believers. It is a profound testament to the nature of the Holy Spirit's work within us. Self-discipline is not a mere human effort but a divine endowment. Because self-discipline wholly relies on the Holy Spirit's influence, our surrender to Christ is called for in ever-increasing measures. This dismantles my misconception that self-control and self-discipline are about my power and will. Biblical self-control is not reliant on human willpower. We must have the transformative power that comes from God Himself. Thus, self-discipline emerges as a manifestation of the Spirit's presence in our lives. It is a clear indicator of our spiritual condition. Conversely, a lack of self-discipline and self-control indicates spiritual and mental problems that need to be addressed. This may sound harsh, but it is true. Too often, I excuse my lack in these areas as “that is just how I am,” not realizing that they are, in fact, poor excuses I used to let myself off the hook of engaging with Christ in an ever greater level of trust and surrender. When we demonstrate self-control and self-discipline, we are displaying a characteristic imparted to us by God. This realization fosters a deeper understanding. Attaining this is not a result of personal or moral achievement but a sign of living in alignment with the Holy Spirit’s empowerment and guidance. The degree to which I see these traits in my life is the degree to which I can see myself as fully surrendered to Christ. If you are anything like me, we have a long road ahead in this sanctification process, which culminates as we enter Heaven. Ah, that glorious day! BE-DO-HAVE vs. HAVE-DO-BE The call to action is for us to “be” self-controlled. Unfortunately, I often operate on the cognitive distortion of “have-do-be” thinking. Once I “have” my life in better order, and I am less busy and stressed, then I will “do” those things that involve self-discipline and self-control, and then I will “be” where God wants me to be. Wrong! What scripture tells us is that it is “Be-Do-Have.” "Therefore, prepare your minds for action; be self-controlled; set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed." - 1 Peter 1:13 NIV This passage calls for mental readiness and self-control now. I can’t delay this to some point in the future when I am “ready.” We must be willing to be uncomfortable in order to answer this mandate and endure the pain of self-denial. I like being comfortable and tend to avoid things that take me out of my comfort zone. However, “No pain, no gain” is my experience. NO PAIN, NO GAIN! Ask any sports athlete, and they will quote you this slogan when reflecting on what it takes to achieve peak performance. "No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it." Hebrews 12:11 NIV This verse acknowledges the challenge of discipline and its fruitful outcome, aligning with the concept that God values and rewards self-discipline. And of course, the classic verse to inspire us to have the discipline of an athlete is the Apostle Paul’s famous race metaphor: “Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. Therefore I do not run like someone running aimlessly; I do not fight like a boxer beating the air. No, I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize. 1 Corinthians 9:24-27 NIV Paul speaks of disciplining his body to maintain integrity and effectiveness in his ministry, illustrating personal self-control. Every time I read this, I get motivated to push myself harder, deny my earthly desires, and surrender to Christ. Allow this metaphor of an athlete's discipline to encourage your spiritual endeavors in pursuit of eternal rewards. THE GREAT TECHNIQUE: “JUST SAY NO!” Here is the best technique I know to achieve all we have discussed: “Just say no!” “For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good.” Titus 2:11-14 NIV There is a tremendous power in the word “no.” What we did not want to hear as children we must now tell ourselves as adults. This is where we transition from milk to meat, from adolescence into maturity as Christ-followers. We know what to do. We need to do it by saying “no,” denying ourselves, and being self-controlled. "Make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness;" - 2 Peter 1:5-6 NIV Peter outlines a progression of virtues that begins with faith and includes self-control as essential for spiritual growth and godliness. Sanctification is a progressive process that leads us to every more godly behavior. THE FRUIT OF SELF-DISCIPLINE Allowing the Holy Spirit to control us through daily, moment-by-moment surrender bears great fruit. "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law." - Galatians 5:22-23 NIV Self-control is a component of the Spirit's fruit, which places it at the heart of Christian character and moral living. CONCLUSION To achieve self-control and self-discipline, we must:
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