Embracing Grace: The Journey to Christlikeness

 

Summary

In our journey of spiritual transformation, it's crucial to understand that it is not about being right in every aspect but about allowing each dimension of our being to be transformed into Christlikeness. This transformation is not achieved through sheer willpower or human effort alone. Instead, it is a process that involves the grace of God working in us. Grace is not opposed to effort but to earning; it requires diligent effort informed by knowledge and understanding of how we are built as human beings.

The common misconception is that spiritual growth is achieved by trying harder, but this often leads to frustration and defeat. Instead, we must embrace brokenness as a stage that teaches us our limitations and the necessity of grace. The path of indirection is where we focus on the factors that enable Christlikeness rather than forcing it through our efforts. Intelligent effort, informed by knowledge, is key to this transformation.

Jesus, in Mark 12, provides a profound insight into the essential parts of the human being. When asked about the greatest commandment, He emphasizes loving God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength, and loving our neighbor as ourselves. This commandment encapsulates the essence of a blessed life, guiding us to orient our being towards the fullness of life in God's kingdom.

Understanding the heart as the will or the executive center of the self, rather than merely emotions, is vital. Many confuse their feelings with their will, leading to misguided actions. The law, as expressed in the Old Testament, is a beautiful gift from God, not a burdensome set of rules. It is an expression of God's ways, and delighting in it leads to a blessed life.

Loving our neighbor, including those who are different from us, is an extension of loving God. This love is rooted in our relationship with God, enabling us to transcend cultural barriers and discrimination. Jesus' teaching in Mark 12 highlights the interconnectedness of loving God and loving our neighbor, emphasizing that one cannot exist without the other.

Key Takeaways:

- Spiritual transformation is not about willpower alone but involves grace and intelligent effort informed by knowledge. Understanding how we are built as human beings is crucial for this transformation. [01:41]

- Embracing brokenness is essential as it teaches us our limitations and the necessity of grace. It is a stage we pass through, not a permanent state. [03:19]

- The path of indirection focuses on factors that enable Christlikeness rather than forcing it through sheer effort. Intelligent effort, informed by knowledge, is key. [04:21]

- Loving God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength, and loving our neighbor as ourselves, encapsulates the essence of a blessed life. This commandment guides us to orient our being towards the fullness of life in God's kingdom. [06:17]

- Understanding the heart as the will or the executive center of the self, rather than merely emotions, is vital. The law is a beautiful gift from God, an expression of His ways, and delighting in it leads to a blessed life. [09:03]

Youtube Chapters:

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:21] - Introduction to Spiritual Transformation
[00:57] - The Role of Grace and Effort
[02:24] - Misconceptions About Spiritual Growth
[03:50] - The Path of Indirection
[05:14] - Jesus' Insight in Mark 12
[06:17] - The Greatest Commandment
[08:02] - Understanding the Heart
[09:41] - The Will and Emotions
[11:12] - The Law as a Gift
[13:03] - Delighting in God's Law
[14:13] - The Secret of the Blessed Life
[16:15] - Loving Your Neighbor
[18:02] - Interconnectedness of Love for God and Neighbor
[19:39] - Conclusion and Reflection

Study Guide

### Bible Study Discussion Guide

#### Bible Reading
1. Mark 12:28-31 - "One of the scribes came and heard them arguing, and recognizing that He had answered them well, asked Him, 'What commandment is the foremost of all?' Jesus answered, 'The foremost is, "Hear, O Israel! The Lord our God is one Lord; and you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength." The second is this, "You shall love your neighbor as yourself." There is no other commandment greater than these.'"
2. Psalm 1:1-2 - "Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, nor stand in the path of sinners, nor sit in the seat of scoffers! But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and in His law he meditates day and night."
3. Leviticus 19:18 - "You shall not take vengeance, nor bear any grudge against the sons of your people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself; I am the Lord."

#### Observation Questions
1. What does Jesus identify as the greatest commandment in Mark 12:28-31, and how does it relate to the concept of loving one's neighbor? [06:17]
2. According to the sermon, how is the heart described differently from common perceptions of it being solely about emotions? [09:03]
3. What is the significance of the law as described in Psalm 1:1-2, and how does it relate to the idea of delighting in God's ways? [13:03]
4. How does Leviticus 19:18 expand the understanding of loving one's neighbor, especially in the context of cultural barriers? [16:15]

#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the sermon suggest that spiritual transformation involves more than just willpower? What role does grace play in this process? [01:41]
2. In what ways does the sermon describe the "path of indirection," and how does it differ from simply trying harder to achieve Christlikeness? [04:21]
3. How does the understanding of the heart as the "executive center" of the self influence one's approach to loving God with all one's heart? [09:03]
4. What does the sermon imply about the interconnectedness of loving God and loving one's neighbor, and why is this relationship essential? [18:02]

#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you relied solely on willpower for spiritual growth. How might embracing grace and intelligent effort change your approach? [01:41]
2. Consider a situation where you felt brokenness. How can recognizing this as a stage rather than a permanent state help you move forward in your spiritual journey? [03:19]
3. Identify one area in your life where you can apply the "path of indirection" to foster Christlikeness. What practical steps can you take this week? [04:21]
4. How can you actively love God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength in your daily life? What specific actions can you take to demonstrate this love? [06:17]
5. Think of a neighbor or someone different from you. How can you show love to them this week, transcending cultural or personal barriers? [16:15]
6. Reflect on your understanding of the law as a gift from God. How can you delight in God's ways and incorporate them into your daily routine? [13:03]
7. How can you ensure that your emotions and will are aligned in your spiritual practices, avoiding the confusion between feelings and decisions? [09:41]

Devotional

Day 1: Grace and Intelligent Effort in Transformation
In the journey of spiritual transformation, it is essential to recognize that it is not solely about exerting willpower but about allowing God's grace to work within us. This transformation requires intelligent effort, informed by a deep understanding of how we are created as human beings. Grace is not opposed to effort but to the notion of earning; it invites us to engage diligently with the process of becoming more like Christ. By understanding our nature and the role of grace, we can align our efforts with God's transformative work in us. [01:41]

"For it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure." (Philippians 2:13, ESV)

Reflection: In what areas of your life are you relying solely on your own strength rather than inviting God's grace to guide your efforts?


Day 2: Embracing Brokenness as a Path to Grace
Embracing brokenness is a crucial stage in spiritual growth, as it reveals our limitations and the necessity of grace. This stage is not a permanent state but a passage that teaches us humility and dependence on God. By acknowledging our brokenness, we open ourselves to the transformative power of grace, which enables us to grow beyond our limitations. This understanding shifts our focus from trying harder to allowing God's grace to work through our weaknesses. [03:19]

"But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me." (2 Corinthians 12:9, ESV)

Reflection: What is one area of brokenness in your life that you can bring before God today, asking Him to transform it through His grace?


Day 3: The Path of Indirection to Christlikeness
The path of indirection involves focusing on the factors that enable Christlikeness rather than forcing it through sheer effort. This approach emphasizes intelligent effort, informed by knowledge, as the key to transformation. By understanding the underlying factors that contribute to spiritual growth, we can create an environment that fosters Christlikeness naturally. This path requires patience and trust in God's timing, as we align our efforts with His transformative work. [04:21]

"Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect." (Romans 12:2, ESV)

Reflection: What are some specific practices or habits you can incorporate into your life that will create an environment conducive to spiritual growth?


Day 4: Loving God and Neighbor as the Essence of a Blessed Life
Loving God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength, and loving our neighbor as ourselves, encapsulates the essence of a blessed life. This commandment guides us to orient our being towards the fullness of life in God's kingdom. It emphasizes the interconnectedness of our love for God and others, highlighting that one cannot exist without the other. By aligning our lives with this commandment, we open ourselves to the abundant life God desires for us. [06:17]

"And he answered, 'You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself.'" (Luke 10:27, ESV)

Reflection: How can you intentionally demonstrate love for God and your neighbor in a practical way today?


Day 5: Understanding the Heart as the Will
Understanding the heart as the will or the executive center of the self, rather than merely emotions, is vital for spiritual growth. Many people confuse their feelings with their will, leading to misguided actions. The law, as expressed in the Old Testament, is a beautiful gift from God, an expression of His ways. Delighting in it leads to a blessed life, as it aligns our will with God's purposes. By understanding the true nature of the heart, we can make choices that reflect God's love and wisdom. [09:03]

"Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life." (Proverbs 4:23, ESV)

Reflection: In what ways can you align your will with God's purposes today, ensuring that your actions reflect His love and wisdom?

Quotes

"We are very thankful that we don't have to be right about everything for God to work right, but then spiritual transformation follows only as each essential dimension of the human being is transformed into Christlikeness. Now you see, you're thinking about that in terms of understanding what are the parts of the person that leads to transformation." [00:12:00]

"Such transformation is not the result of mere human effort and cannot be accomplished by putting pressure on the will. Willpower alone will fail you, and if people get into that dead end, they will be defeated. And so, that's where we want to keep this emphasis, not, uh, it's not willpower alone." [00:71:04]

"Grace now begins to come in, and we understand that grace is not opposed to effort, attitude, no earning allowed, but all kinds of effort, diligent effort, seeking to know, seeking to do the will of God. And perhaps the greatest mistake in this area is to think that spiritual growth is achieved by trying harder." [00:98:79]

"Brokenness is actually necessary at a certain point, but that's only to teach us that we in ourselves cannot do this. And if you just try harder and don't have brokenness and turn to grace, your life will be impossible, and you will make the lives of other people possible because you just can go try harder, try harder, try harder." [00:194:48]

"Those two options have to give way to the path of indirection, and indirection is where instead of trying to make something happen, you deal with the factors that will produce it. So in trying instead of trying to be Christ-like for short, you turn to the things that enable you to be Christ-like." [00:234:64]

"Intelligent effort is the key. Now intelligent effort means that it is effort informed by knowledge, knowledge of how the human being is built, how they work, and that comes from guess who, can you say Jesus? Give me a J, Dr. Jesus, in Mark 12." [00:270:16]

"The foremost is hear O Israel, the Lord our God is one Lord. Now in terms of our vision, that's vision, the Lord our God is one Lord. See, that's the first of the ten commandments. I am the Lord your God that delivered you, and I acted, and you saw my action. I am the Lord your God." [00:377:36]

"You will love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength, and the second is, you shall love your neighbor as yourself. Okay, now if you think about what we said about the second and third of the great questions, who is really well off, and who is a really good person." [00:413:28]

"The heart is actually the will or the executive center of the self, but the will doesn't work independently of your emotions. But today we have come to the point to where many people in our churches and in our world do not know the difference between their feelings and their will, and that is a fatal mistake." [00:554:64]

"If you don't understand that the law is a beautiful good gift of God, then if you go back and read Psalm 119, for example, or Psalm 1, and you say blessed is the man that doesn't walk in the counsel of the ungodly, stand in the way of sinners, or set in the seat of the scornful, but his delight is in the law of God." [00:680:56]

"The law fundamentally is an expression of the ways of God, and that's how you come to know the delight that is in the law, but his delight is in the law of God, and in that he meditates day and night, not because he has to but because he loves it. The law is an expression of the ways of God." [00:774:32]

"You cannot love God without loving your neighbor, and you can't love your neighbor without loving God. Now I'm going to have to move on from that, but I want you to understand that Mark 12:29-31 is Dr. Jesus's analysis of the essential parts of the human being." [01:088:24]

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Transcript
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