Good Morning Everyone,
Our theme for this month: “True Greatness”
Our Bible verse for today: “Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is – his good, pleasing and perfect will.” Romans 12:2 (NIV)
Our thought for today: “True greatness comes from the inside out, not from the outside in.”
When we think about the truly great men and women of God whom we have known, and we consider the examples they have set for us, what we’re really looking at is their outward behaviors. We observe how they conduct themselves and we conclude that if we can conduct ourselves in a like manner, then we will be more like them.
The problem with that perspective though is that it focuses on behavior rather than character. We observe their behavior, admire it, and then attempt to modify our own behavior to conform more to what we’re seeing them model for us. That approach is superficial and temporary at best because conduct is determined by character, not the other way around. By means of discipline and willpower we might be able to force a change in our behavior and then maintain it for a while, but lasting change only comes from a change of heart.
That’s what Paul was writing about in Romans 12:2. Paul was describing an inward transformation that shows itself in outward behaviors. What we were really seeing in those godly men and women who we admire so much is not good behavior controlled by discipline and willpower, but character traits such as humility, love, kindness, compassion, mercy, and sacrificial service – all of which come from a heart that has been transformed and shaped by the Holy Spirit of God.
The transformation and spiritual growth that Paul was writing about is something that develops over years and years of faithful attention to the basic spiritual disciplines of the Christian faith – things like daily prayer and Bible study, frequent participation in the life of a good church family, serving in ministry, etc. The more of those practices we incorporate into our lives, over an extended period of time, the more transformation there is.
True greatness comes from the inside out, not from the outside in. I encourage you to develop the daily habit of placing yourself in a position before God whereby He can mold you and shape you into the truly great man or woman He wants you to be.
God Bless,
Pastor Jim
Oak Hill Baptist Church 