Setbacks Nag; Success Whispers!

Transformation is a buzzword in our world today.  We are enchanted with it.  We see everything around us morphing.  Life requires change.  If you are not changing, you are dying. 

For those following Christ, this is welcomed and widely encouraged.   Romans 12:1-2 calls for “the renewing of the mind.”  Paul in Ephesians 4:22 told us to change our clothes—“put off the old and put on the new.”  “Put to death whatever belongs to your earthly nature.” Col. 3:5.  But in Galatians 3:3 he reminds us this is a work of the Spirit—not human effort.  “After beginning with the Spirit are you now trying to attain your goal (of spiritual maturity) by human effort?”  Going back to rules, disciplines, and following the law (or even the Ten Commandments) does not lead to freedom, rather it continues to provoke the flesh.

So, if transformation is important, how does transformation happen?  What is the means in which the Spirit does this? 

The way the Spirit transforms us is through our eyes and ears.  To our eyes he says, “Fix your eyes on Jesus, the author and perfector of your faith.”   To our ears, he whispers in a “still small voice” calling us away from the bad to pursue the good.  This is the way transformation occurs.   And there is a bonus, our hearts do not condemn us when we look forward.  By looking at Christ, we don’t look backwards—to our setbacks and sins.  It is that obvious.

Ever had the experience of sinning?  Sure.  What did it do to you?  Did it make you want to sin more?  Sin is like that.  How do we overcome sin, temptation and the flesh?  We don’t look back.  We look forward.  Setbacks scream at us; righteousness whispers “look ahead.”  Sin nags; success in the Christian life speaks softly—‘this is the way, walk in it.”

If you haven’t noticed, one sinful experience has the effect of outweighing one positive act of righteousness.  A gallon of bad stuff weighs more than a gallon of good stuff.

Here is my theory about transformation.  You can do all the spiritual disciplines you want (it may not hurt) but if you want to live like a noble son or daughter of the most High God, then you have to keep looking ahead and not focus on what happened behind you. 

One sin has the power to defeat one positive act of righteousness.  In fact, one sin defeats two positive acts of righteousness.  It may take three positives to offset one negative. 

If you focus on your sin or setback, it paralyzes you.  Your soul is like a boat with a hole in it.  The bad gushes in and the good jumps ship.  Look at the good before the bad sinks you.  Plug holes. 

Here are a few words of wisdom.  Think more about the good.  Live with the good in front of you.  Thank more.  Live more.  Love more.  Cheer more.  Do good.  Don’t be defeated by the bad.  Eliminate the negative.  Throw out the bad and the good comes back. 

Focus on the goal.  You are falling behind if you don’t.  The good will whisper you to your goal.  Learn from your setbacks.  Freedom energizes, setbacks drain.

The pursuit of righteousness is fueled by acts of righteousness, not looking at our sins.  Pursue what is good.  Proverbs 21:21 “He who pursues righteousness and love finds life, prosperity and honor.”   1 Tim. 6:22 “But you man of God, flee from this (the bad in life) and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love and goodness.” Pursuing the good mean stop focusing on our setbacks and shortcomings.  These latter things only trap us in our past.  Listen to whispers!

Focusing on the goal,

Jim