Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.
Romans 12:2 (NLT)
Do any of you remember the Grinch? You know, the greenish goon who devised a scheme to steal Christmas from a community of unsuspecting Whos. Anywho (pardon the pun), the Grinch's plan failed miserably. It wasn't because the Whos captured him as he was whisking away all their presents. It wasn't even because Max (the Grinch's dog) ate up all of the Who hash. In actuality, the Grinch foiled his own plot. Huh?
Allow me to explain in spiritual terms (if I may). The Grinch realized that what he had done was wrong in God's eyes. He became convicted of his sins (stealing gifts, lying to Cindy Lou Who, and impersonating Santa Claus) and repented. It can be assumed that he accepted Jesus Christ in his heart because his heart grew three times bigger. He then returned to Whoville to bring back the gifts and food he had taken. The change was quite remarkable...miraculous even.
When an individual receives Jesus Christ as his personal Lord and Savior, a change begins to take place. It may not be as dramatic as the change that occurred with the Grinch, however. It is more of a gradual transformation from being totally fleshly to becoming Christlike in character. I admit that I still have a long way to go in my spiritual growth, but as I allow the Holy Spirit to mold me into Christlikeness, I will grow in grace and in the knowledge of my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. My hope and prayer is that we all continue to be transformed into the people God has called us to become: His beloved children.
Romans 12:2 (NLT)
Do any of you remember the Grinch? You know, the greenish goon who devised a scheme to steal Christmas from a community of unsuspecting Whos. Anywho (pardon the pun), the Grinch's plan failed miserably. It wasn't because the Whos captured him as he was whisking away all their presents. It wasn't even because Max (the Grinch's dog) ate up all of the Who hash. In actuality, the Grinch foiled his own plot. Huh?
Allow me to explain in spiritual terms (if I may). The Grinch realized that what he had done was wrong in God's eyes. He became convicted of his sins (stealing gifts, lying to Cindy Lou Who, and impersonating Santa Claus) and repented. It can be assumed that he accepted Jesus Christ in his heart because his heart grew three times bigger. He then returned to Whoville to bring back the gifts and food he had taken. The change was quite remarkable...miraculous even.
When an individual receives Jesus Christ as his personal Lord and Savior, a change begins to take place. It may not be as dramatic as the change that occurred with the Grinch, however. It is more of a gradual transformation from being totally fleshly to becoming Christlike in character. I admit that I still have a long way to go in my spiritual growth, but as I allow the Holy Spirit to mold me into Christlikeness, I will grow in grace and in the knowledge of my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. My hope and prayer is that we all continue to be transformed into the people God has called us to become: His beloved children.