For this reason we also constantly thank God that when you received the word of God which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men, but for what it really is, the word of God, which also performs its work in you who believe.People hear the word of men all the time, and usually dismiss it just as quickly. Occasionally some of it sticks, like a good self-help speaker or a scientist or other authority figure who reveals something new. In those cases, we may integrate it into our lives, and perhaps even use it to change us, but it's a top-down change.
On the other hand, when the gospel is accepted, it begins a bottom-up (or inside-out) transformation, not just a change of attitude or action. God is changing us from within, as much as we allow Him to. I worry that I've blocked that process much more than I had thought, and now am wondering how to open myself to it again.
No comments:
Post a Comment