Spiritual Transformation Pt. 3 - Purpose

Review

Romans 12:1–2 AMP

I APPEAL to you therefore, brethren, and beg of you in view of [all] the mercies of God, to make a decisive dedication of your bodies [presenting all your members and faculties] as a living sacrifice, holy (devoted, consecrated) and well pleasing to God, which is your reasonable (rational, intelligent) service and spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world (this age), [fashioned after and adapted to its external, superficial customs], but be transformed (changed) by the [entire] renewal of your mind [by its new ideals and its new attitude], so that you may prove [for yourselves] what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God, even the thing which is good and acceptable and perfect [in His sight for you].

Your will is like a muscle; it becomes exhausted in direct proportion to its use. For this reason your will power will never give you victory of over sin, only momentary resistance to the sin nature.

Salvation is not the forgiveness of sin, it’s rather life from above. You’re saved from your selfish, evil, and destructive, sin nature, and reunited with your loving and amazing creator.

What Does and Doesn’t Happen at the “New Birth”?

John 3:3 LEB

Jesus answered and said to him, “Truly, truly I say to you, unless someone is born from above, he is not able to see the kingdom of God.”

John 3:6–7 LEB

What is born of the flesh is flesh, and what is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not be astonished that I said to you, ‘It is necessary for you to be born from above.’

John 14:15–17 LEB

“If you love me, you will keep my commandments. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, in order that he may be with you forever—the Spirit of truth, whom the world is not able to receive, because it does not see him or know him. You know him, because he resides with you and will be in you.

The Purpose of Spiritual Transformation?

Matthew 28:19–20 LEB

Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe everything I have commanded you, and behold, I am with you all the days until the end of the age.”

Dictionary of Biblical Languages with Semantic Domains: Greek (New Testament) 5498 τηρέω

5498 τηρέω (tēreō): vb.; ≡ Str 5083; TDNT 8.140—1. LN 13.32 keep on, continue in a state (1Co 7:37); 2. LN 37.122 guard, keep watch over (Ac 16:23; Ac 21:25 v.r.); 3. LN 36.19 obey, observe (Jn 14:15; Mk 7:9 v.r.; 1Jn 5:2 v.r.)

A tourist is visiting NYC and asks a street vendor: “How do you get to Carnegie Hall?”, to which the vendor replies “Practice my friend, lots of practice.”.

Understanding the principle of the seed. Attempting to reap without sowing. Wanting to be prepared for any eventuality, but never saving any money. Not giving to other people, but always expecting that other people should give to you. Attending church as a consumer, rather than a covenant member. Constantly asking for the prayer of others while never praying for anyone else. Wanting to get a spouse, but also wanting to eat ice cream sundaes with pork rinds for breakfast everyday.The

The commands of Christ are in and of themselves no more able to empower you to keep them than the 10 Commandments. To try to obey the commands of Christ without the Christ of the commands is to simply to live under New Testament law. It’s utter foolishness.

1 Timothy 4:7–8 LEB

But reject those worthless myths told by elderly women, and train yourself for godliness. For the training of the body is somewhat profitable, but godliness is profitable for everything, because it holds promise for the present life and for the life to come.