Over the years, I’ve met several people who have suffered significant brain injuries of one kind or another. My heart goes out to them. I can’t imagine the patience they must develop to live with their impaired function. While most of us don’t have traumatic events in our lives that rob us suddenly of abilities we had and the activities they allowed, we all notice that over time, we experience some deterioration. Paul wrote about this issue in connection with the hope of resurrection: “Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal." [2 Corinthians 4:16-18]
Here, Paul is writing about people who have become followers of Jesus. Because of their faith in the One who died for their sin, was buried and then three days later escaped the clutches of the grave, they have a new perspective. They have learned to not be absorbed with the pain and problems of the moment, but to focus on what God is doing in their lives. This lifts them out of the drudgery of coping with disabilities into the joy of abundant living. They know that their present condition is temporary. They are looking forward to an eternal state, when they will be forever free of their afflictions.
Another reason followers of Jesus are able to rise above their problems is because they deal with the sin in their lives. Paul advised the believers in Ephesus that concerning their former conduct, they should put off the oh-so-human, but sinful tendencies of the past. He then challenges them “to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self. [Ephesians 4:22-24]
There’s that concept of renewal again - “to be made new.” Let’s face it, if we have an appliance in our home that doesn’t work anymore and worse yet presents a safety hazzard to our family, we get rid of it and get a new one that works safely. That’s the idea here. The old sinful way of life, doesn’t work. It drags us down. It harms our relationships with others. It separates us from God. What we need is a new way of life. One created by God. Paul tells us such a way of life exists and that we enter into it by being renewed in the spirit of our minds.
When I talk about renewal, today, I’m not talking about turning over a new leaf, or trying harder. I’m talking about a profound change of orientation. You have to accept that Jesus died for your sin. That God Himself had to take that sin on Himself in order to satisfy the demands of holy justice.
God assures us that if we confess our sins, He will forgive them. (1 John 1:9) Confessing means we agree with God not only about the fact of the offense, but the gravity of the offense. We must see our sin as God sees it and recognizing how it separates us from Him, we must turn from it. Did you ever have someone apologize to you by saying “I’m sorry you were upset?” Not very satisfying is it? They went halfway and acknowledged that you were upset, but they left it there. It was still your problem. They did not take any responsibility for what upset you. What we want them to say is: “I’m sorry I upset you. Will you forgive me.” That’s different, because they accept their responsibility in upsetting you.
This is exactly what we must do to experience God’s forgiveness. We must confess our sin, acknowledge the offense and desire to change our ways. Then we receive His pardon and the power of God flows into our lives allowing the change which we desire. However, until we experience that forgiveness, we will continue with that sense of emptiness, separation, fear and other negative emotions which accompany the sense of guilt.
When we step into the place of God’s forgiveness, the process of renewal can really begin. Everything changes. Not always all at once, but the process begins. Old things - old patterns of thinking and behaviour go and new ones begin. Old desires and values are exchanged for new ones. God begins to work in you making you the person He always intended for you to be. He gives you his Spirit and you become a new creature. (2 Corinthians 5:17)
Ron Hughes
© May 2000