Inside Out

There is a simple truth we often forget in our journey toward Christ-likeness: God works from the inside out, not from the outside in. The action is in the heart. If the heart is right, the right actions will follow supernaturally naturally. "Christ in you, the hope of glory." "Greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world." We are always trying to change ourselves through activities as if doing will produce being. That's impossible. How often does God remind us of that in His Word? "Be still and know that I am God." "They that wait upon the Lord will renew strength." "Come unto me all you who are weary and heavy laden and I will give you rest." "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and He will make your paths straight." Nothing is more debilitating than Christian busyness, than boot-strap Christianity. All it leads to is weariness and cynicism--and preachers who believe that the most important Christian motivational tool is guilt.
We must be those who rest in Him, who cherish time in His Word letting His Spirit teach us who He is and who we are in Him and to Him. We must spend time sitting at His feet to learn of Him. We must not try to live the Christian life through human will power. (Do you understand how ridiculous that is?) We must instead saturate ourselves with His Word so that the Spirit can use His sword to mold us from the inside out into the image of God. Then, we will find ourselves exhibiting the fruit of the Spirit and doing those things that please Him.