Continuous transformation

Continuous transformation

Many followers of Jesus believe that their experience of salvation is a “one-time” experience. This refusal to see the life of discipleship as continuous transformation leads to spiritual stagnation and eventually, spiritual death. In our pride we declare our self-will and independence, thereby, dethroning the rightful resident of our will’s throne: the sovereign God. There are whole areas of our lives that have not yet been brought into submission. As we mature in our faith we acknowledge this truth: to follow Jesus is to be in continuous transformation. – Ron Friesen

The Good or the Best?

The good or the best?

The good is the enemy of the best! From the human perspective there are many things that are good. The Bible says that God is the creator of the good; how can this good get in the way of what is best? We begin believing that having accomplished some great good we have fulfilled the purposes and will of God. It is easy to believe that we have achieved this by ourselves by our natural abilities and aspirations. Nothing could be more contrary to the way of Jesus who calls us to deny ourselves. We have only one right: the right to give up our rights. To be crucified with Christ is nail our declaration of independence on the Cross. There comes a time in the life of every follower of Jesus a funeral: the funeral of independence. – Ron Friesen

Living a Supernatural life

Living a Supernatural life

Beware of a life that can be explained by natural means. There are many kind, loving, generous, gentle, hard-working, and intelligent people. Many followers of Jesus exhibit these qualities without any particular connection to the Christ living in them. It is a sad reality to watch these followers of Jesus live out these natural virtues that have no power of God in them. The empowered follower knows that even these positive, natural tendencies must be brought to the foot of the cross and traded for the new life of Christ. Christ in us creates a life that can only be explained by the supernatural life of Christ in us. – Ron Friesen

Resignation or Regeneration?

Resignation or Regeneration

“Who do you say that I am?” Jesus liked to ask this question. He is still asking it today. Many answer, “He is my model, my example, my pattern.” There is little power in this view of Jesus. Long before Jesus was a pattern, he was Savior. Jesus is not the figurehead of a world religion. He is salvation itself; he is the Gospel. A pattern will not lead to moral transformation; it will only lead to a sense of falling short, of failure, ultimately, to despair leading to resignation to our imperfection. When we identify ourselves with the Cross we come to the place of renewal. The old dies; a new life is born in us. We do not need resignation; we need regeneration. – Ron Friesen

Seeking God or experiences?

Seeking God or experiences?

As new followers of Jesus, it is easy for us to make today’s experience with God the measuring stick for all future experiences. When we have new experiences, we often discount them or question them because they fail the test of our preconceptions of how God works in the world. Like little children, we may even become petulant and demand that God do “it our way.” God will let us have our moments and remind us as he did disciples: “O, ye of little faith.” If we open our hearts and minds, we will learn that the prize we seek is not more experiences, but God. – Ron Friesen

Our Sole Compulsion

Our sole compulsion

How often have we said, “If only God would place me there, I could do a great work for him.”? Or we say, “If only God would give me that spiritual gift, I would be more useful for him.” How impetuous our wills are! How arrogant our thoughts are! How sentimental our emotions are! We miss the moment because our eyes are cast over there instead of what sits in front of us. We like to rest in the theology of “God chose me” because it gives us great comfort to lie in his hand, yet, we quickly argue with him out of our selfishness. Unless we understand that our purpose is to be “in Christ” instead of “do for Christ”, we will always be dissatisfied saints. What we fight is the continual dying to ourselves; yet we must continually remind ourselves of this one central truth: “…Jesus Christ and him crucified” (I Corinthians 2:2) – Ron Friesen