Embracing Transformation: Beyond Checklists to True Spiritual Growth

Devotional

Day 1: Moving Beyond the Checklist

Spiritual growth is not about fulfilling obligations but engaging in a transformative relationship with God. This involves being spirit-led, Bible-informed, and persistent in our pursuit of Christlikeness. Often, people fall into the trap of merely checking off boxes—attending church, reading the Bible, praying—without truly engaging in the transformative process that God desires. Dallas Willard emphasizes that regular church services, while vital, are not sufficient for deep spiritual transformation. Instead, believers must be intentional and experimental in their spiritual practices, seeking to be led by the Spirit in all aspects of life. [02:38]

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

Reflection: What is one spiritual practice you currently do out of obligation? How can you invite the Holy Spirit to transform this practice into a genuine encounter with God today?

Day 2: Love as the Driving Force

True transformation is driven by love, not obligation. The story of Lydia, a mother who fought a polar bear to protect her child, illustrates the power of love-driven action. She didn't pause to consider what was required; she acted out of love, doing whatever it took to save her son. Similarly, in the spiritual journey, actions should be motivated by love for God and others, prompting believers to do whatever it takes to grow spiritually. This love-driven approach leads to a deeper and more authentic transformation. [07:55]

"Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins." (1 Peter 4:8, ESV)

Reflection: Think of a recent situation where you acted out of obligation rather than love. How can you approach similar situations with a love-driven mindset in the future?

Day 3: Vision for a Life of Surrender

Embrace a vision for a life of surrender and transformation. This involves seeking God's guidance in becoming a generous, joyful, and loving person, rather than merely fulfilling religious duties. The rich young ruler asked Jesus what he must do to inherit eternal life, seeking a list of requirements. Jesus challenged him to become a generous person, highlighting that transformation is about becoming, not just doing. This vision calls for a life of purpose and meaning, guided by God's love and grace. [09:04]

"And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires." (Galatians 5:24, ESV)

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you find yourself holding back from surrendering to Jesus? What would surrendering this area to Him actually look like in terms of daily habits?

Day 4: Generosity and Purpose

Becoming a generous person is more important than accumulating wealth. Jesus challenges believers to move beyond the question of what is required and instead focus on becoming people of generosity and purpose. This shift in focus leads to a life that reflects God's love and grace, prioritizing the well-being of others over personal gain. The call to generosity is not just about financial giving but encompasses all aspects of life, including time, talents, and resources. [10:16]

"One gives freely, yet grows all the richer; another withholds what he should give, and only suffers want." (Proverbs 11:24, ESV)

Reflection: In what ways can you practice generosity today, beyond financial giving? How can you use your time and talents to serve others?

Day 5: Living with Purpose

The prophetic words of Micah call believers to do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with God. This is not a checklist but an invitation to a life of purpose and meaning, driven by a deep love for God and others. Living with purpose involves aligning one's actions with God's desires, seeking to reflect His character in every aspect of life. This purposeful living leads to a fulfilling and impactful spiritual journey, marked by justice, mercy, and humility. [10:47]

"He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?" (Micah 6:8, ESV)

Reflection: How can you incorporate the principles of justice, mercy, and humility into your daily routine? What specific actions can you take today to live with purpose?

Sermon Summary

Sitting in the backyard of my lifelong friend Chuck, who is celebrating his first day of retirement, I am reminded of the profound difference between doing what is required and embracing a mindset of "whatever it takes," especially in our spiritual lives. This distinction is crucial as we navigate our journey of becoming more like Christ. Often, we fall into the trap of merely checking off boxes—attending church, reading the Bible, praying—without truly engaging in the transformative process that God desires for us. Dallas Willard highlights this in his writings, emphasizing that regular church services, while vital, are not sufficient for deep spiritual transformation. We must be spirit-led, Bible-informed, intelligent, experimental, and persistent in our pursuit of spiritual growth.

The story of Lydia, a mother who fought a polar bear to protect her child, illustrates the power of love-driven action. She didn't pause to consider what was required; she acted out of love, doing whatever it took to save her son. Similarly, our spiritual journey should be driven by love for God and others, prompting us to ask not just what is required, but what it will take to experience true transformation.

In the realm of spiritual formation, we must move beyond a checklist mentality. The rich young ruler asked Jesus what he must do to inherit eternal life, seeking a list of requirements. Jesus challenged him to become a generous person, highlighting that transformation is about becoming, not just doing. The prophetic words of Micah remind us that God desires us to do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with Him. This is not a checklist but an invitation to a life of purpose and meaning.

Today, I encourage you to embrace a vision for a life of surrender and transformation. Ask God to lead you to the methods of worship, learning, and service that will help you become a generous, joyful, and loving person. Let us not settle for what is required but strive for whatever it takes to live a life that reflects God's love and grace.

Key Takeaways

1. led, Bible-informed, and persistent in our pursuit of Christlikeness. [02:38]
2. Love-Driven Action: True transformation is driven by love, not obligation. Like Lydia, who fought a polar bear to save her child, our actions should be motivated by love for God and others, prompting us to do whatever it takes to grow spiritually.

3. Vision for Transformation: Embrace a vision for a life of surrender and transformation. This involves seeking God's guidance in becoming a generous, joyful, and loving person, rather than merely fulfilling religious duties.

4. Generosity and Purpose: Becoming a generous person is more important than accumulating wealth. Jesus challenges us to move beyond the question of what is required and instead focus on becoming people of generosity and purpose.

5. Living with Purpose: The prophetic words of Micah call us to do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with God. This is not a checklist but an invitation to a life of purpose and meaning, driven by a deep love for God and others.

** [02:38]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:32] - Meeting Friends in Atlanta
[00:44] - Celebrating Chuck's Retirement
[01:21] - Required vs. Whatever It Takes
[01:45] - Vision, Intention, Method
[02:25] - Spirit-Led Transformation
[03:09] - Jesus' Intensive Training
[03:47] - Overconfidence in Church Services
[04:17] - Discovering Inner Transformation
[05:27] - Love vs. Obligation
[06:19] - Lydia's Story of Courage
[07:55] - Love-Driven Transformation
[08:25] - The Crossroads of Sobriety
[09:04] - Vision for a Life of Surrender
[10:47] - Living with Purpose and Meaning

Sermon Clips

"Sometimes the way towards transformation is blocked even among people who have generally become apprentices of Jesus and have good intentions. They are not capable of receiving truth; their body, soul, feelings, thoughts, and social atmosphere are in such turmoil or so badly inclined that their minds cannot be reached just by periods of teaching." [00:01:51]

"We must be spirit-led, Bible-informed, intelligent, experimental, and persistent. Say that again: spirit-led, Bible-informed, intelligent, experimental, and persistent. The Christian past holds a huge store of information on spiritual formation. It is a treasure, a God deposit in Christ's people. We must take the trouble to know it and own it in ways suitable to today." [00:02:38]

"We must flatly say that one of the greatest contemporary barriers to meaningful spiritual formation in Christ's likeness is overconfidence in the spiritual efficacy of regular church services, for whatever kind they may be. Though they are vital, they are not enough. It is that simple." [00:03:43]

"When we are gripped by love for God and for the people around us, then the question becomes not just what am I supposed to do today but what will it take for me to experience transformation. There's a very powerful passage in the big book of AA where the possibility of sobriety, as opposed to nothing but addiction, hell, and death, lies before someone." [00:07:55]

"The question today is not what's required. When I was growing up, often I would have kind of a what's required checklist. I'm supposed to do a quiet time every day, supposed to read my Bible, supposed to pray. Well, you know, I guess I'll do that. How long does it have to be, as opposed to a life of surrender?" [00:08:25]

"The great prophetic statement from Micah: He has told you, oh human being, what is good and what does the Lord require of you? To do justice, to love mercy, to walk humbly before our God. There is still no greater opportunity offered to the human race. That is not the requirements of a checklist; that is a life that is meaningful and full of purpose." [00:10:47]

"Lead me to the methods of worship and learning and surrender and whatever it is—generosity, volunteering, giving, cross-cultural celebrating, gratitude. Lead me to that so I can live that kind of life, not what's required today, but whatever it takes." [00:11:25]

"Individuals and local congregations of disciples must discover and effectively implement whatever is required to bring about the inner transformation of those who have really become apprentices of Jesus and really do gather in immersion in the Trinitarian presence." [00:04:17]

"She did not pause to say, now what would be required of an adult in a situation like a 700-pound polar bear? What could I do that's on the checklist so that if I get in trouble with anybody, I can say I did what could be reasonably expected of a mom, of a human? No, this is just love." [00:06:19]

"Do I have a vision for that life? The great prophetic statement from Micah: He has told you, oh human being, what is good and what does the Lord require of you? To do justice, to love mercy, to walk humbly before our God. There is still no greater opportunity offered to the human race." [00:10:16]

"Maybe like when it comes to generosity, kind of a funny thing. Working as a pastor for many years, I would often teach about tithing, giving 10% to God's work. You want to guess what the number one question is people would raise when it came to tithing? Do I have to tithe on the gross or on the net?" [00:09:04]

"Only after three years of special training away from their ordinary life were they led through his death and resurrection to the upper room and the endowment with power from on high. We might ask ourselves, what have we actually gone through in the process of spiritual formation?" [00:03:09]

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