After the initial performance of Handel’s Messiah in Dublin on April 13, 1742, George Frideric Handel received acclaim much greater than any expectation he could have imagined. The Dublin News-Letter gushed how the oratorio “far surpass[ed] anything of that Nature which has been performed in this or any other Kingdom.” In a letter Handel penned to a friend soon afterwards, however, he wrote, “I should be sorry if I only entertained them. I wished to make them better.”
Reading the Scriptures, we get the sense that God’s teaching intends to make us better—to transform our lives. After a lengthy listing of instructions for living in Christ, Paul tells the Ephesians that the result of all this information should be a renewed life. “Throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life,” he writes. “Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes” (Ephesians 4:22-23). When God takes residence in us, the way we think, act, and view ourselves and our world begins to shift.
If we’re to live true to God’s life in us, we can no longer malign others—even if we disagree with them (Ephesians 4:25). We can no longer allow anger, violence, or a vindictive spirit to motivate us—even if we feel threatened or wronged (Ephesians 4:26). We can no longer use our economic power to abuse or oppress others—even if it’s “legal” and saves us a buck (Ephesians 4:28). We can no longer degrade others with sarcasm or words that wound—even if it’s socially acceptable (Ephesians 4:29).
To follow Jesus means we allow God to transform the whole of our life. We allow God to make us better.
NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: Ephesians 1:3-23
More:
Read Ephesians 4:20-32 and list the practical ways God’s transforming work is revealed in us.
Next:
Where do you want God to make you better—to transform your life by the power of the Holy Spirit? How might your actions this week reflect God’s desire for your life to be renewed and made whole?
Gary Shultz on November 29, 2016 at 6:56 am
That is it Winn, striving to be better. I love how God works not only in mysterious ways, but He is the master Multitasker, like the music you refer, He writes a symphony with our lives. As he builds into us we do begin to refrain from wrong doing, which opens the door to be a useful servant, which blesses others, which brings a witness, which causes encouragement, well you get the picture. Each day “We allow God to make us better” is a day we bring help to others, glory to God, and the end result, it blesses us as individuals. So when God sets out to do something with each of us it brings a hosts of results that we will never know until God revels it in glory. I am counting on many surprises in heaven. When you preach a sermon moved by God’s Spiri, there is no measurement as to what that message may have ignited and blessed. I am convinced that God will not miss one speck of opportunity to bless us. So what a godly tapestry our christian life can and should be. Thanks Winn
sandy229 on November 29, 2016 at 1:38 pm
I love what you said about God writing a symphony with our lives. Sounds so beautiful which it truly is because when we will truly yield our lives to Him, we allow God to make us better, so we can be the person He created us to be.
Winn Collier on November 30, 2016 at 4:43 pm
I’m with you. I think God is eager, eager to bless us.
Tom Felten on November 29, 2016 at 8:16 am
Winn, as I think about Paul’s epistle to the church at Ephesus (from which today’s text is taken from), I note Paul’s emphasis on grace at the start of it. “So we praise God for the glorious grace he has poured out on us who belong to his dear Son” (Ephesians 1:6). “God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God” (2:8). God’s grace truly transforms our way of viewing Him and ourselves. Diving deep into it we find that—as you wrote—He is doing the work to mold us into people who truly reflect His heart and ways.
Winn Collier on November 30, 2016 at 4:45 pm
But Tom, I really like to take credit…
sandy229 on November 30, 2016 at 4:59 pm
Yes, let’s give credit where credit is due..LOL
4everthankful on November 29, 2016 at 8:29 am
When Gary mentioned the word “tapestry” it reminds me of something Corrie ten boom used as an illustration of God’s work in our lives. She showed some needlework beautifully done but turning it to the wrong side showed a mess of tangled threads. Being a cross stitcher myself I often look at the back side of my project to see a tangled mess of threads but know that I am creating a beautiful piece of art to hang out for others to see. It’s the same with what God has done in my life…I’m just a tangled mess of threads but God is making something beautiful of my life. And boy howdy, what mess He’s had to work with. And I am….4everthankful!
sandy229 on November 29, 2016 at 1:39 pm
I now see where you got your name. That is so cool……you are a blessing to all.
sim jing ying on November 29, 2016 at 11:17 am
Well, the power to discern time by making right and powerful decision for the Lord. Have a balancing life in God’s way.
sim jing ying on November 29, 2016 at 11:17 am
decisions*
minkjh on November 29, 2016 at 12:14 pm
Drawing on another of Paul’s teachings, Romans 12:2 reminds us of the need to renew our minds. Our devotion to the gospel and the working of the Holy Spirit in and through us will bring about transformation in our lives. There was an obvious renewal in Handel’s situation when he was given the opportunity to compose Messiah, for prior to that invitation he had lost much of his creative genius, was in ill-health, and one step away from debtor’s prison. A far cry from the wealth and fame he once knew, but God had an even greater plan for Handel, one that would employ man’s creative genius to glorify the Creator.
sandy229 on November 29, 2016 at 1:39 pm
Amen!!
sandy229 on November 29, 2016 at 1:29 pm
Because of the great love God has for us, He has cleansed us by the blood of Jesus, making us Holy by His grace. We cannot earn His forgiveness or become Holy through our works. It is by grace through faith in Jesus that we are made righteous. However, God has created us to do good works, things He prepared in advance for us to do, so we should do the good things God gives us to do, but know that we are holy by His grace. Be renewed in your heart and mind. Do not live as you did when you did evil things. Put off your old self and put on the new self, created in the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.