The leaves are beginning to change colors this year. We had a frost warning overnight. Does this mean we can expect the cold weather to settle in now? Who knows? We might have a few more 90-degree days ahead of us. Haha!
Across the street, a bush is transforming from shades of green into beautiful shades of red. I love this picture of beauty and the reminder of God’s creativity and majesty, even in something right across the street. What’s wild to me about the changing leaves is the process. Year after year, it happens, culminating in an explosion of color. As a certain time of year approaches, the process begins. We don’t necessarily see the beginning of that transformation, but we most certainly see the results.
Transformation Begins on the Inside
Something I’ve been pondering is that a leaf’s transformation is seasonal. Ours takes place over a lifetime. I’ve written before about how time in God’s Word changes our hearts and minds in Changes.
A Faith That Grows Over Time
I’ve been studying the life of Abraham this past week, and I’m so thankful that Scripture gives us such a full picture of his life. We don’t just read about a fabulous human being, worthy of applause. We see the times he failed to trust God, the times he tried to come up with his own solutions, and the times he asked Sarah to lie about their relationship for his own protection.
We see a life in process.
We see his bad choices. Yet we also see his faith, even from the beginning. We see his obedience when God called him to leave his homeland! We see his humility and the honor he showed in his interactions with others and with God.
Abraham’s transformation took time, and the fruit of that transformation became visible in his choices to trust and obey. Then comes Genesis 22. God tells Abraham to offer his beloved son Isaac, and Abraham responds with obedience. He trusts God so completely that, according to Hebrews 11:17–19, he believes God is even able to raise Isaac from the dead.
By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and he who had received the promises was offering up his only begotten son; 18 it was he to whom it was said, “In Isaac your descendants shall be called.” 19 He considered that God is able to raise people even from the dead, from which he also received him back as a type. Heb 11:17–19.
Abraham wasn’t trusting in his ability to figure everything out. He was trusting in the One who made the promise. And isn’t that where we struggle? We know what God has said, but do we believe Him?
Promises We Can Stand On
- We are saved by grace through faith, not by our works. Ephesians 2:8–9
- We have eternal life through Jesus Christ. John 3:16; 1 John 5:11–13
- We have forgiveness of sins through Christ. Ephesians 1:7; Colossians 1:13–14
- There is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. Romans 8:1
- We have been adopted into God’s family. Ephesians 1:5; Romans 8:15–17
- We are new creations in Christ. 2 Corinthians 5:17
- We have been sealed with the Holy Spirit. Ephesians 1:13–14
We are saved. Have eternal life. Forgiveness. No condemnation. Adopted. New creation. Sealed with the Spirit. This is all ours in Christ Jesus. So, no matter what you feel on any given day, the truth stands. This truth stands.
Friend, do you wonder if God could love you even after you fall into sin? Over and over? Go back to the list. Are you unsure about your future? Go back to the list. Are you carrying guilt or shame over sins you’ve already confessed? Go back to the list. Go back to the list. There is NO condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. Do you think you will never conquer or grow from where you are today? Go back to the list.
We may not see the changes the Lord is making in our lives while they’re happening. But friend, join me in trusting Him and remembering that He isn’t finished with us yet. As we continue reading, memorizing, and standing on His Word, we can be confident in this truth:
I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, 4 always offering prayer with joy in my every prayer for you all, 5 in view of your participation in the gospel from the first day until now. 6 For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.
Our transformation is a process. God’s faithfulness is a certainty.
Come Along With Me
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