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Commentary on "God as Artist"
BEN AND DELINA McPHAULL
Day 6: Thursday, March 15, 2012 - God as Sculptor
Today’s lesson is about God as Sculptor, it focuses on how our characters and behavior are sculpted by God. While this is true, the aspect of spiritual rebirth is completely ignored and overlooked. The author writes: “Salvation history is full of divine creativity, restoring in fallen men and women the lost “image of God.”” But she omits the fact that the way that this is accomplished, is through the rebirth (John 3, 1 Peter 1:23). Though the author’s intention may have been to focus on the transformational aspect of the Christian life, it is a mistake to look at it outside of the context of the rebirth (by which this transformation is even possible!). I wrote about this in an article about spiritual rebirth, “Because of the spiritual awakening of rebirth that we are even able to respond to the voice of our Shepherd and to live by His Spirit.”
My friend, Sindra Evans, said it best, “the house deed of salvation was paid in full at the cross, and came with the gift of a lifetime housekeeping services done by none other than the Holy Spirit.”
Though the rebirth will result in changes in behavior, focusing on behavior puts us dangerously close to dancing with salvation by works (or salvation through character transformation). Don’t miss the fact that before God begins to sculpt us, he gives us a new “us” in the form of a spirit that is alive and united with His Spirit.
Question to consider
- How might your reality be transformed, if you choose to focus on what Christ has DONE on your behalf, rather than on what you still need to DO in order to be acceptable to Him?
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