We are starting up our theme for the youth this year. It is out of 2 Cor 3:18. Our theme is "Transformed". Now I know that this is not a revolutionary or even original theme but I really think it is a concept that our teens need to hear. A mighty misunderstanding of Christ is that he is like a "one use only" savior who saves us once and flees the scene waiting on our eventual arrival in heaven. The bible speaks of so much more than that. In this passage Paul is speaking of a hope that is dead for the Jews but is alive in Christ. He calls those who don't have Christ "dull" and "veiled". But just as a groom removes the veil from his bride, so does Christ remove the veil of our sin and shame from our hearts. Then Paul wraps his thoughts by saying:
"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." 2 Cor 3:18
This verse brings me so much joy because:
1. This seems to be more passive than active from our end. This doesn't mean that we don't play an active part in the redemptive plan of God but that our transforming is done by the very will of God. He intends to make us like his son. Our transformation is only done because God wants it done. That is comforting to me. The plain reality is that I don't know how to transform myself. God knows I have tried. God knows that I have failed as well.
2. This is an ongoing process. Though I struggle daily, I can know that if I have faith in God, even through my failures, I will be a transformed person. This process will not happen today or tomorrow yet I know it will happen. Being patient with God is often our greatest battle.
3. I will be like him someday, when I least suspect it! God's glory will be shown through me (and is showing now I am sure) in ways that I never thought possible. Imagine what God has in store for those he has transformed! Imagine what we will look like! My feeble mind fails at trying to figure this out.
Well hopefully that lifts up your hearts. I hope everyone is doing well and I look forward to hearing from you.
Chris
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4 comments:
Great thoughts Chris! I love that verse and I haven't thought about it in a long time. It sounds like a good theme for your youth!
hey chris, that sounds like a great idea for a theme... and it can't be THAT overdone, cause i can't ever remember hearing that theme with the verse from 2 Cor. ... anyway, i have a random story for you... I was in florida about a week ago and our group was sitting around talking about all the mission trips/LST trips that people from Sooners for Christ have been on and your name got brought up... and since i figured there weren't too many Chris Robey's in this part of the country, I figured I was safe betting that you were the one they were talking about. so i just thought i'd let you know that the sooners haven't forgotten about you (at least not the campus minister)... sorry, that was a little more random than I had thought...
but good luck with the new theme and the new semester...
Liz sent me you blog address, so I checked it out! You have some awesome thoughts. I think (well I'm speaking of myself) sometimes we try to fix everything ourselves or try to make sense of things that are confusing or hard to understand first, before we ever bring it to God entirely. When all along we (I) should have given it to Him from the beginning. I think this theme will be awesome for our youth. God will definetly work regardless and will transform all hearts. God Bless my friend.
Hey, Chris!! I randomly got onto your blog from someone else's. Crazy! I'm so glad I have a way to keep up with you a little better. Hope you're doing well!!
Tammie Shelton
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