What is the goal?
- To be transformed into the image of Jesus
- (Romans 8:29) For whom He foreknew He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren.
- (Colossians 3:9 – 10) Do not lie to one another, since you have put off the old man with his deeds, and have put on the new man who is renewed in knowledge according to the image of Him who created him.
- (2 Corinthians 3:18) But we all, with unveiled face, behold as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord.
- (2 Peter 1:4) For by these He has granted to us His precious and magnificent promises, so that by them you may become partakers of the divine nature . . .
- To have the faith of Jesus
- (Romans 3:26) …that He might be just and the justifier of the one who has the faith of Jesus
- (Galatians 2:20) I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me and gave His life for me.
- (Revelation 14:12) Here is the patience of the saints; here are those who keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus.
- To teach angels
- (Ephesians 3:10) Now the manifold wisdom of God might be made known by the church to the principalities and powers in the heavenly places.
- (Ephesians 3:15 – 21) From whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named…
- To have the love of Jesus (1 John 3:16, Ephesians 3:19, 5:2)
What is the result of having other goals?
- Going to heaven
- Self-centered
- No transformation
- Love? (Doing what is best for the other person regardless of its effect on me)
- Forgiveness
- The sacrifice of Jesus was an essential step but far from the goal
- Self-centered
- Misses the point of the King and His Kingdom
- Glorifying God
- God is self-absorbed?
- No transformation
- Righteousness (doing right)
- Never enough
- Justice fails
- Continual forgiveness makes justice meaningless
- Forgiving but leaving us in a right-and-wrong world is pointless
- Leads to once-lost-always-lost or once-saved-always-saved
- Faith without love
- Self-centered
- The purpose of the promises of God is misdirected
- (Luke 11:42) Woe to you Pharisees! For you pay tithe of mint and rue and every kind of herb, and yet disregard justice and the love of God; but these you should have done without neglecting the others.
- (John 5:39 – 47) You search the Scriptures, because you think that in them you have eternal life . . .but I know that you do not have the love of God in yourselves
- (Romans 5:5) . . .the Love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.
- (Galatians 5:22) The first fruit of the Spirit is love
How do we reach the goal?
- Any goal can be made to result in legalism
- If the goal has a minimum requirement, try again.
- If the goal can be reached by human achievement, try again
- The ability to reach the goal is promised.
- One must know the promises in order to have faith and love (2 Peter 1:2 – 8)
- We must get out of the way and let God work
- How?
- The “bad lists” are reality checks, since we are expert at deceiving ourselves
- Some (many, most) attitudes require divine intervention
- (Colossians 3:12 – 17) Put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering, bearing with and forgiving one another…
- (James 1:3 – 4) Consider it all joy when you encounter various trials.
- (Romans 12) et al
- Some things we can do in order to be prepared for God
- (Philippians 4:8) Whatever things are true, noble, just, pure, lovely, of good report, virtuous, or praiseworthy, let your mind dwell on these things.
- (Hebrews 12:14) Pursue peace with all men, and holiness.
- (Romans 16:17) Note those who cause divisions…and avoid them
- (1 Corinthians 5:11) Do not keep company with anyone named a brother who is sexually immoral or covetous or an idolater or a reviler or a drunkard or an extortioner…
- (1 Corinthians 6:18 – 19) Flee sexual immorality…You are the Temple of the Holy Spirit.
- (1 Corinthians 10:11) These things happened to them as examples…
- (1 Corinthians 10:14) Flee idolatry
- (Philippians 3:17) Join in following my example, and note those who so walk
- (Colossians 3:1) Seek those things which are above
- (Colossians 3:1`6) Let the Word of Christ dwell in you richly
- (1 Thessalonians 5:11) Comfort one another and edify one another
- (1 Thessalonians 5:21) Test all things; hold fast what is good
- (Hebrews 10:25) not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together
- (1 Peter 2:2) Long for the pure milk of the Word