Spiritual transformation is the change in a person from the old way of living in sin to the new person living in the ways of the Spirit. Paul wrote about the Christian metamorphosis resulting from the renewed mind, the mind dedication to offering living sacrifice (Romans 12:1). As we are transformed, we no longer conform to the ways of the world.
Can this transformation be measured? In other words, is there a way that I can examine myself so that I can be sure that the transformation that Christ wants for my life is being accomplished? Yes, there is. One way is by considering carefully if these seven elements are present and growing in my walk in the Spirit: (1) Am I worshipping God intimately and passionately? (2) Am I engaging in spiritual friendships with other believers? (3) Am I pursuing faith in the context of family? (4) Am I embracing intentional forms of spiritual growth? (5) Am I serving others? (6) Am I investing time and resources in spiritual pursuits? (7) Am I having faith-based conversations with outsiders?
Those seven biblical points of self-examination are the seven elements on which the Barna Group focuses as they examine the passions that their research indicates that people moving from the old person to the new person in Christ possess (UnChristian by David Kinnaman). I’m going to be asking myself those questions? Will you do that, too? That’s Life at Work!
2 comments:
Great questions, Rich. Thanks for sharing them. I have that book but haven't cracked it open yet. I am more encouraged to do so now. That vague feeling that we ought to be more spiritual ... and even the occasional efforts to try to make it happen... gnaws at us because we do not know how to measure it. Looks like this could be a way.
They are some excellent questions. Considering my great passion for great marriages, question 3 was particularly important to me when I first read it. If Christianity will be fleshed out, it must first be fleshed out in my family.
Richard
Post a Comment