How Do We Really Change? (part 2)

We know things at two levels - through the knowledge of our minds, and thru the sense of our hearts. It's the difference between knowing a recipe for chocolate chip cookies, and having them melt in our mouth. God has made us to know Him at both levels.

True change comes when we not only know Jesus with our minds, but behold Him with our hearts. When the promises of the gospel become real to us, when they finally melt in our mouths, we are transformed. 

Here's a question I often wrestle with - how do I change? I mean ... really change?

Now, I don't mean temporary, paste-on, peer-pressure "change" (like going on a diet for a week or two, or promising God I'll never lie, lust, or get angry again). That type of "change" is, well, pretty easy. I should know - I've been doing it most of my life.

And to tell you the truth - it's never worked!

No. I'm talking about the real thing. That's right! Real, honest-to-goodness, deep-down, life-altering, wow-you-are-a-different-person change!

It's clearly a promise of the gospel of Jesus (see 2 Corinthians 5.17). BUT ... how does it happen?
 
Well, I think we all know how it doesn't happen. It doesn't happen by:

• Trying even harder
• Making more fervent promises
• Wallowing in guilt just a bit longer   

If you are like me, those methods lead to pretty predictable results - more pride (if I succeed on my terms), more guilt (if I measure myself against God's standards) or more hopelessness (when I decide it's no longer worth the effort). 

So, how do we change? 

Read these amazing words from the apostle Paul (in 2 Corinthians 3. 16, 18):

When one turns to the Lord, the veil is removed ... And we all with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.

 Wow! Did you catch it? What Paul writes is amazing!

1. When we turn to Christ in repentance and faith, the veil is removed (if you want, check out vs. 14 - it refers to hardness of mind). We can now see Jesus clearly as He is portrayed in His Word;
2. As we "see" Jesus (in the faithful preaching of the Word), we are able to behold the glory of the Lord. That's right, we can move from knowing to beholding, from understanding to tasting;
3. As we behold the glory of Jesus, we become like Him (remember the principle: we become what we behold).
4. This process is the empowered by the Spirit of God. It's His work in us! 

The key is focusing on Jesus. Beholding Jesus, in all of His glory.

Just to be clear - this is different than understanding theology (which is important). It's different than reading your Bible (which is vital).  It's different than being at the right meeting (which always helps).

It's moving from head knowledge to heart knowledge.

For God who said, 'Let light shine out of darkness,' has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ" (2 Cor. 4.6) ... we see the face of Jesus as the Holy Spirit makes Him real to us through His Word ... We see in Christ a fullness to satisfy us forever. And the believing heart comes alive in this new awareness of Christ.   Raymond Ortlund

One last thought/example, and then more on this next week.

In The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe (by CS Lewis), I have always loved the scene in which Edmund is forgiven & restored by Aslan. Not just theoretically, but really. Read on (emphases mine)...

"You have a traitor there, Aslan," said the Witch. Everyone present knew that she meant Edmund. But Edmund had gotten past thinking about himself, after all he'd been through ... He just went on looking at Aslan. It didn't seem to matter anymore what the Witch said. "Well," said Aslan, "his offense was not against you."... Edmund was on the other side of Aslan, looking all the time at Aslan's face. He felt a choking feeling and wondered if he ought to say something; but a moment later he felt that he was not expected to do anything except to wait, and just do what he was told." 

So, let me ask you ...

In your preaching/teaching/leading, are you helping others to look past themselves, and focus their gaze on Jesus?

Do you long to gaze in wonder at the glory of Jesus in His death and resurrection for you? Do you love to tell the "old, old story of Jesus and His love"?

Have you tasted and seen that Jesus is good? Really good! Melt-in-your-mouth-for-all-eternity good!

It's the key to change. Real change.

What you've been longing for all your life is held out for you in the gospel. Have you tasted it?