Weekly Inspiration

Dear Friends on this great Adventure!

The theological basis for your and my spirituality is when we cry "Abba! Father!" St. Paul claims that when we do this, "it is the Spirit bearing witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs, heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ" (Romans 8:15-17).

In Christian spirituality, the starting place is not our own thirst for God, but God's loving decision to enfold us into his family. While our decision to receive the grace of God that establishes our relationship with him is essential, the gospel does not begin with any of our decisions.

Most of us can remember saying to someone, "I love you." It seemed like time stopped as we waited for a response. Only one response would be the right one. In saying these words, we put ourselves in a vulnerable position. We hoped to hear in reply, "I love you too." Through the work of Christ and the Spirit, the Father has taken the initiative to tell us that he loves us. The theological term for this initiative is "prevenient grace." God's grace precedes and anticipates our faith in his love for us. We cannot even claim to love God apart from first discovering how much he loves us.

When we see the love of God demonstrated in the cross of Jesus Christ, our response is a deep, life-changing gratitude. We gain a new identity as beloved sons and daughters with whom God is also well pleased.

St. Paul told the believers at Rome, "Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds, so that you may discern what is the will of God--what is good and acceptable and perfect" (Romans 12:2). The Greek word "syschematizo" translated as "conformed" is in the middle voice, which signifies something we do to ourselves. Through our own efforts we are able only to conform to the imperfect loves of the world. The Greek word "metamorphoo" translated as "transformed" is in the passive voice, which signifies something that happens to us. As our minds are renewed by remembering God's love for us, the Spirit changes our lives. By God's grace, we start to look like God's will--good and acceptable and perfect. In other words, we begin to look more like Jesus Christ.

By the grace of God we are now his children, so, when we revert back to our old addictions to sin, the Spirit reminds us, "No, no, that's not how you act in this family." Once we discover that by grace we have been brought home, we find it irresistible to make the changes that align us with the values and culture of our new family. We will never make these changes by trying hard to get life right on our own. Only God's love is powerful enough to change our lives.

In the home of our Heavenly Father we learn how to give our lives to something greater than a self-absorbed, shallow, empty, dry and thirsty existence. When we come to see what God has done for us in sacrificing his Son because he loves us, and what he has done and continues to do through the ministry of the Holy Spirit, then everything about our lives begins to change. Changing our lives is as easy as falling in love!

Your Friend,

Duff Gorle