A decade of Renewal: Renewed Lives

For no one is a Jew who is merely one outwardly, nor is circumcision outward and physical. But a Jew is one inwardly, and circumcision is a matter of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the letter. His praise is not from man but from God. - Romans 2:28-29 ESV

His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence, by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire. - 2 Peter 1:3-4 ESV

For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I keep on doing. So I find it to be a law that when I want to do right, evil lies close at hand. Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, I myself serve the law of God with my mind, but with my flesh I serve the law of sin. - Romans 7:19, 21-21, 24-25 ESV

Rev. Young Lee

Gospel renewal here at Renewal church

We wish to be married to Jesus, but remain bachelors in lifestyle. We want eternal life & salvation, but not sanctification. We want to benefits without changing our lives.

What is Gospel change

Circumcision is not what makes us followers of God. It is not public actions, but the heart. We don't change behavior first. We must change our affections in order to impact our behavior. We must have an inner circumcision. We do not do things for men, but for God. Christianity is not about making us worship God. But rather God will make us worshippers. It is not about trying to be more pure, but loving purity. Transformation is not about behavior, but the heart.

Power of change

Peter talks about godliness and then... the promises of God. Why these things rather than power or strength? Because what we know of God is greater than self control. Knowing and loving God's promises gives us hope. We can't change until we have hope of change. Hope gives us power to persevere.

But more important than just any hope is the promise of fulfillment. Hopes can be dashed. But God promises victory and glory. If God is all he says he is, then He will fulfill His promises.

Change, without the gospel, is by denial and fear. But true and lasting change comes from affection. We can tell ourselves to avoid sin, but this is unsustainable. This kind of change will not last. We need a greater love. Lasting change confess from tasting how good God is.

Measuring change

How do most of us try to measure this change? Sanctification is not measured by how perfectly we avoid sin. We need to measure by passion and progression. "Wretched man that I am..." is not followed by more self discipline. But "Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord!" is his response. He looks at how he has been saved. We cannot look at the day to day, but rather the gradual progression of change in our lives. Not being holy, but becoming holy. Not glorious, but being glorified.