A Powerful Relationship – God Wants You!
“I now know the Bible says I am a new creation,” the believer might say, “but what do I do with that knowledge? Where do I go from here to become like Christ without just trying harder?”
This question becomes crucial in the day-to-day where the believer finds himself confronted with urges and temptations that are contrary to the character and purpose of God. Because he still resides in a corruptible tent, the unredeemed body, the believer continues to battle the selfish and self-destructive “lusts of the flesh.” Paul explains this battle in Romans 7:18: “For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh) nothing good dwells; for to will is present with me, but how to perform what is good I do not find.” This truth is also evident in Romans 8:23: “even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our body.”
The daily battle against the luring of sin must be waged with the right foundation of knowledge in regard to the liberating truth of regeneration. First, God’s transformation in one’s life (regeneration) is not a personal, self-imposed reformation. Second, life transformation is something only God can do because He creates life where life did not exist before.
Peter affirms that the believer is born of “incorruptible seed,” and John explains that this seed is God’s seed. A seed is a power-packed bundle of life, but that seed must grow in order to produce. Likewise, growing in grace is imperative for the believer. God made us for Himself and in Christ has reconciled us to Himself. The fact that Jesus “laid down His life” (I John 3:16) “to bring you to God” (I Pet. 3:18) carries profound meaning. God wants a relationship of deep personal interaction with you. Transformation into the image of Jesus Christ is realized through the passionate pursuit and development of that relationship. This truth is encapsulated in the lyrics of the CityAlight song "I Want To Know You":
I've tried in vain a thousand ways
My fears to quell, my hopes to raise
But what I need, Your word has said
Is ever, only, Jesus
You died, You live, You reign, You plead
There's love in all Your words and deeds
This weary heart finds all it needs
In ever, only, Jesus
I want to know You, Jesus my Lord
King of the Heavens, King of my soul
I trade my treasures and all my rewards
Jesus, to know You, then know You more.[i]
[i] I Want to Know You lyrics © Farren Love And War Publishing, Integrity's Alleluia! Music, Cityalight Music
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