But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.
2 Corinthians 3:18
Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,
Hebrews 12:1
Finally, brothers, we ask and encourage you in the Lord Jesus to live in a way that is pleasing to God, as you have received from us. This is how you already live, so you should do so all the more.
1 Thessalonians 4:1
As Christians, one of God’s goals for us is to help us be more free from our ways (the sin that so easily besets (entangles) us – Hebrews 12:1), to be less conformed to this world. God wants to set us free, indeed, by learning to live His way, by becoming Holy (safe from sin), peaceful, trusting in Him, resting, joyful, and full of love like He is.
Many people talk about Christians saying that churches are full of hypocrites – It’s sad that many of those same people use that line of reasoning as an excuse for not coming to Jesus in their own lives because they’re really loving the darkness (the world and its ways) more than the light (God’s ways to live this life) – We can all wrestle with loving the darkness more than the light at times as we shed this world and our sin nature while being changed into Christ’s image.
While many of today’s churches are becoming more and more worldly, there are sincere Christians who desire to renew their minds to the Word of God (the Bible) in order to be free from the impact sin is having on their lives. Those who let the Holy Spirit work in their lives can also appear to be hypocritical at times by those in the world. But, the truth is, the Christians trying to grow in Jesus are merely repenting (changing), and change can take time just like the saying “old habits die hard.”
We need to remember to be gracious with each other as we let the Holy Spirit do His work in us as He changes us from glory to glory, as He sets us more and more free from “our ways.” Am I a hypocrite because repentance is taking longer than I want it to? No, I’m merely learning to wait on the Lord and to be patient with the growth (His liberty) He’s producing in my life as I cooperate with His work in me. And, I need to extend that same grace to others who desire to renew their minds to Christ.
But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen.
2 Peter 3:18
And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.
Ephesians 4:32
And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and profound insight,
Philippians 1:9
And may the Lord cause you to increase and overflow with love for one another and for everyone else, just as our love for you overflows, so that He may establish your hearts in blamelessness and holiness before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all His saints. Amen
1 Thessalonians 3:12-13
God bless,
Mark