Essentials of Effective Prayer
Week 5
We were also talking that we are always being refined in God's image. When we first accept Christ as our Savior, we might still look a lot like the world - nothing in our outward behavior has changed that much. But when we accept Christ, we receive the Holy Spirit in us. The Holy Spirit nudges and pushes us to slowly get rid of the outward sins. Just like an onion.
So first the outer, superficial layers are peeled away. As we get deeper and deeper into the onion, the harder and harder it is to get rid of those really deeply rooted character flaws. The closer we get to the center smelly part of the onion, the more tears we shed.
For example, at first the Holy Spirit might be working on you to not swear. Then He might work on you years later to practice kindness to others. Then maybe again years later, after you've worked on those two things (and others), then He works on you to "capture every thought". (2 Corinthians 10:5). It's all a process and just like peeling away the layers of an onion.
Have you peeled an onion today?
As long as I've known her, my mentor, Karen, told us a great analogy for spiritual growth - the onion! Sounds a little odd, I know, but give me a minute and let me explain.
In class, we were discussing 1 John 1:9: "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." So this verse is all about recognizing our sins and confessing them to God. God forgives us and we can learn from our sins and mistakes and grow ever more like Jesus. It's a process called spiritual growth and maturity in Christ.
In class, we were discussing 1 John 1:9: "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." So this verse is all about recognizing our sins and confessing them to God. God forgives us and we can learn from our sins and mistakes and grow ever more like Jesus. It's a process called spiritual growth and maturity in Christ.
We were also talking that we are always being refined in God's image. When we first accept Christ as our Savior, we might still look a lot like the world - nothing in our outward behavior has changed that much. But when we accept Christ, we receive the Holy Spirit in us. The Holy Spirit nudges and pushes us to slowly get rid of the outward sins. Just like an onion.
For example, at first the Holy Spirit might be working on you to not swear. Then He might work on you years later to practice kindness to others. Then maybe again years later, after you've worked on those two things (and others), then He works on you to "capture every thought". (2 Corinthians 10:5). It's all a process and just like peeling away the layers of an onion.
Have you peeled an onion today?
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