I would like to believe that human beings have the "self will" for internal and external change of behavior. That it is possible for them to experience complete renewal of their behavioral and spiritual makeup without a power from above.

But, after careful thought I don’t think it is possible without the Holy Spirit. Christians have gotten tricked by the idea that humans are able to reform the "whole" person without the necessity of becoming an authentic Christian who participates in God’s divine nature (2 Peter 1:4). Part of this compromise comes due to a response to the critics of Christianity who claim we are to exclusive and narrow in our views.

How can Christians claim they posses the only keys to heaven, through faith in Jesus Christ? How can Christians claim that holistic behavioral change can only start and work through the regenerative power of the Holy Spirit?

I admit both of these claims seem narrow and simplistic. But, when thought through logically in light of experience and Christian theology they make total sense. For example experientially I have never met up close or heard of a person who lived a life apart from true Christian spirituality ever become more like Christ over the years of their life (who is the most admired & exemplary human figure that has ever lived). What I have seen is people secretly hide their vices, while appearing to be model citizens. Others merely transfer one sinful addiction to another that is more socially acceptable, but considered immoral to God. Then there are those who externally demonstrate their ever increasing sin in a psychopathic way, not really caring about the consequences. Either we as humans overtly sin and get worse or we covertly sin and show our true colors in time.

What I have seen is that some play the game of moral rightness better then others, eventually revealing their true moral and spiritual bankruptcy. It’s like a person lending money away to others, while they themselves borrow money from the banks. They in actuality have no money in their bank account to give. They appear to be rich, but deep down inside they are morally and spiritually bankrupt. When they give they give out of their emptiness. They give because they know they should or because they are enslaved to the game of “appearances”. Time has a way of waring them out and revealing what they are really made of.

At sight no one can see this truth in their lives, unless they dig further into their bank account. Scripture is clear that the unregenerate person not only is a slave to sin, but through time their wickedness continues publicly or secretly.

Romans 6:19
“Just as you used to offer the parts of your body in slavery to impurity and to ever-increasing wickedness…….”

1 Timothy 5:24-25
24 The sins of some men are obvious, reaching the place of judgment ahead of them; the sins of others trail behind them. 25 In the same way, good deeds are obvious, and even those that are not cannot be hidden.

Let us not compromise the exclusive and special message of the Gospel which promises not only forgiveness of sin, but freedom from it’s dominating power. This freedom enables us to worship God and become molded into Christ image through daily sanctification. This change is not merely external, but internal. It deals with the desires, motives, and attitudes of the heart.

Romans 8:7-9
8 Those controlled by the sinful nature cannot please God. 9 You, however, are controlled not by the sinful nature but by the Spirit, if the Spirit of God lives in you.

2 Corinthians 3:17-18
17 Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. 18 And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.

Romans 6:18
8 You have been set free from sin and have become slaves to righteousness.

Phil 2:13
……13 for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose.

Let’s continue to keep our eyes fixed on the Triune God (Father, Son, Holy Spirit) while evaluating the human critics and philosophies in light of scripture and real experience. Let us eat the watermelon and spit out the seed.

 

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