Inside Out

“I don’t really understand myself, for I want to do what is right, but I don’t do it.  Instead, I do what I hate [...] Thank God! The answer is in Jesus Christ our Lord.”

St. Paul

Romans 7:15, 25 NLT

“The unexamined life is not worth living.”

Socrates, 438 BC

One of the things that the Apostle Paul had in common with Socrates was a stubborn refusal to live under the illusion that he was better than he really was. Clearly, from his frustrating declaration in Romans 7, Paul had honestly examined not just his actions but also the hidden motives behind them… and found them sorely lacking. Neither Paul nor Socrates appear to be interested in behavior modification, which is only skin deep.

Paul’s desire was complete transformation from the inside out. He wanted to experience God’s promise that he could be a new creation. True integrity of character is not just doing the right thing… it’s doing the right thing from the right motives.

This is why, as Pastor Jared pointed out in his message last week, that true transformation has to begin on the inside… with our motives. And that, my friends, requires a power greater than willpower!

Recently, as I stepped into the pool to swim my laps, a fella standing there smiled and said, “So pastor, does Jesus swim with you?” I looked at him and said, “No, he doesn’t! Jesus walks… on the water. I swim.” Friends, Jesus is the Only One with the qualifications to do in us what we cannot do for ourselves. If you’ve discovered, through honest examination, what Pastor Jared pointed out last week - that my struggles have not disappeared as a Christian… that I still struggle with anger, impatience, envy, selfishness, resentment, lust - then I invite you to try this Inside Out Plan:

Respond - honestly examine your motives… every time.

Recover - verbally invite the Holy Spirit to help you bring the motive into alignment with God’s heart… every time.

Remember - to celebrate Who You Are as the beloved child of God even in your struggle… every day.

“[Then] when Christ, who is your [real] life, is revealed to the whole world, you will share in all his glory.”

Colossians 3:4 NLT

Pastor Harry

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