Spiritual Growth: Internal Life then External Life

Devotional Reading: And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. Romans 12:2 KJV

Where does spiritual growth take place?”
Spiritual growth starts with our internal life, not our external life.

We have a premise and it is that Jesus transforms from the inside out. The world tries to change people through conformation; making external changes to our behaviour without any internal change in our heart motives, emotional wellbeing or mindsets. Jesus goes after the heart first and then our behaviour automatically adjusts.

We are not concerned with behaviour modification, sin management, or morality. We are fixated on the redemptive work of Christ at work in the deepest parts of our soul. Our objective is not to produce Christians who when they are at their best can, through willpower, choose to act like Christ. Even a person with superior willpower will get tired sometimes. More importantly, if we are always keeping our thoughts, impulses, and desires in check with our willpower, have we really changed?

Instead, the goal is Christians who reflexively act like Christ because their hearts, minds, and souls have become like Christ’s. This is not a work of the will but a work of the Spirit as we spend time with God and Godly people.

Prayer and Confession
I yield my mind completely to my born again spirit, so that I lead the life Christ already deposited in me.

Further Reading: Matthew 15:17-20.