The Goal of the Christian Life [Part 1 of 2] Matthew 23:25-28

TWO STORIES: COMMON MISCONCEPTIONS ABOUT THE CHRISTIAN LIFE First Story: My friend, “Mark” [pseudonym]  Then: He was a passionate lay leader who served the church sacrificially.  Now: He still is a super nice guy, but feels no the urgent need for daily spiritual disciplines nor for a spiritual community.  MISCONCEPTION: The Christian life is about being a morally good person who is helpful to others (i.e., the ignorance of the goal of the Christian life).

TWO STORIES: COMMON MISCONCEPTIONS ABOUT THE CHRISTIAN LIFE Second Story: My story of “free fall”  Then: As a pastor of a large church, I was busy and driven in ministry, thinking that I was living for God (and my inner changes can wait a little).  Now: My realization is that my inner transformation must be my utmost priority before my ministry to others.  MISCONCEPTION: The Christian life is assessed by what I can produce externally for the church/ministry (i.e., the confusion of the goal).

WHAT IS THE GOAL OF THE CHRISTIAN LIFE [SPIRITUAL GROWTH]? 1)It is NOT changing on the outside [= pseudo transformation]. 25 "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you clean the outside of the cup and the plate, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence… 27 "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs, which outwardly appear beautiful, but within are full of dead people’s bones and all uncleanness. 28 So you also outwardly appear righteous to others, but within you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness. (vs. 25,27-28)

WHAT IS THE GOAL OF THE CHRISTIAN LIFE [SPIRITUAL GROWTH]? 1)It is NOT changing on the outside [= pseudo transformation].  It is NOT about cleaning up ourselves on the visible level.  It is NOT about stopping behavioral sins only.  It is NOT about being conformed to the cultural norm of a Christian community.  It is NOT about outwardly appearing righteous to others (e.g., church activities, programs, good works, missions, ministry, spiritual disciplines, etc.).

PSEUDO TRANSFORMATION Sin in Our Behavior (Sin in Our Heart) visible level invisible level Changes on the Outside

WHAT IS THE GOAL OF THE CHRISTIAN LIFE [SPIRITUAL GROWTH]? 2)It IS changing from the inside out [= real transformation]. “You blind Pharisee! First clean the inside of the cup and the plate, that the outside also may be clean.” (v.26) 17 Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. 18 And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit. 1 Corinthians 3:17-18

WHAT IS THE GOAL OF THE CHRISTIAN LIFE [SPIRITUAL GROWTH]? 2)It IS changing from the inside out [= real transformation].  It is about cleaning the inside [the heart] of ourselves on invisible level first.  It is about facing the brokenness of our “self”—repenting of sin in our heart.  It is about being conformed to the image of God’s Son— becoming more like Christ in character.  It is about turning to Christ’s righteousness by the Spirit’s power by faith (e.g., brokenness, repentance, abandonment, freedom, etc.).

REAL TRANSFORMATION Sin in Our Behavior Changes from the Inside Out (Sin in Our Heart) visible level invisible level

WHAT IS THE GOAL OF THE CHRISTIAN LIFE [SPIRITUAL GROWTH]? 3)Ultimately, the goal of the Christian life [real transformation] is to become more like Christ. 28 And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. 29 For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. 30 And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified. Romans 8:28-30

WHAT IS THE GOAL OF THE CHRISTIAN LIFE [SPIRITUAL GROWTH]? 3)Ultimately, the goal of the Christian life [real transformation] is to become more like Christ.  All things will work for good, yes—but the ultimate “good” that God has in his sovereign plan is our conformity to the image of his Son [Christlikeness].  Therefore, our transformation is to become a morally better person but to be become more like Christ.  It is the lifelong work of both the Spirit and ourselves— because it involves our willing surrender of the heart/center.  It is easy to get sidetracked from this goal of the true spiritual life.

The Danger of Ideas of God and Projects for God We give careful attention to spirituality because we know, from long experience, how easy it is to get interested in the ideas of God and projects for God and gradually lose interest in God alive, deadening our lives with the ideas and the projects. This happens a lot. Because the ideas and the projects have the name of God attached to them, it is easy to assume that we are involved with God. It is the devil’s work to get us worked up thinking and acting for God and then subtly detach us from a relational obedience and adoration of God, substituting our selves, our godlike egos, in the place originally occupied by God. - Eugene H. Peterson

PSEUDO TRANSFORMATION VS. REAL TRANSFORMATION Pseudo Transformation Real Transformation Conformity to: Christlikeness Focus on: changing heart Passionate for: God Attitude: “I want to” Center: GOD Conformity to: cultural Christianity Focus on: changing behaviors Passionate for: things/ideas of God Attitude: “I should” Center: SELF

THE PROCESS OF REAL TRANSFORMATION IN HEART (Cycle of Spiritual Transformation) Rationalization [Jer. 17:9] Brokenness [Ps.139:23,24 ] Repentance [1 Jn. 1:9] Abandonment [Rom. 12:1] Freedom [Rom. 6:16,18] visible level invisible level

PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS FOR OUR EVERYDAY LIFE 1.Have A REGULAR SPIRITUAL AUDIT on your Christian life with these two questions:  “Do I like who I am becoming?”  “Are people who follow me becoming more like Christ?" 2.Give up your tendencies toward PSEUDO TRANSFORMATION.  Stop rationalizations and quick fixes.  Start your patient journey of inner/character transformation. 3.Take THE RESPONSIBILITY OF YOUR REAL TRANSFORMATION toward Christlikeness.  By seeking the Spirit’s leading and power.  By training yourself for godliness/real transformation (1 Tim 4:7).