A Willing Participant

By Kelly Chesnut, Wycliffe USA Deeply Rooted Coordinator

Post date: Sept. 3, 2019

It was one of those weeks.

You know the kind — where you’re teaching about a subject and God is providing plenty of opportunities for you to put those lessons into practice.

It was a week where my family watched as I chose a sharp tone or a short temper rather than a kind word of encouragement. They experienced my irritation instead of my joy, my exasperation instead of patience.

It was just one of those weeks.

I wish I could say it had only been “one of those days,” but I generously sprinkled irritable responses throughout the whole week. I can sometimes be a slow and uncooperative learner, so I guess that’s why I keep being met with opportunities to make better choices. (Too bad it takes me a while sometimes to catch on and learn what God is diligently trying to teach me!)

This month’s core value is titled, “To Be Transformed: Growing in Grace and Christlikeness,” and I’ve had plenty of opportunities to learn about practicing this value at home! And there have been moments for growth because I didn’t respond in ways that demonstrate Christlikeness.

We’ve all experienced times like this where we’re given opportunities to grow in grace; they’re experiences that seek to ultimately produce Christ’s character in us. The question is, will we participate in this greater work of the Holy Spirit?

Realigning my mind with the truth of God’s Word is the starting place for growing in grace and Christlikeness. John 17:17 says, “Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth” (NIV). I’ve learned that when my mind is aligned properly, my attitudes, actions and words soon follow.

Scripture is clear about what it looks like when our lives are guided by our sinful nature, but it’s also clear about this: The actions we long to be known for are fruit that only the Holy Spirit can produce. As we walk in obedience, the Holy Spirit will work to produce that fruit in us.

What an awesome treasure we have in Christ! What an incredible treasure is our Good Father who lovingly trains and disciplines us always for our good, “so that we might share in his holiness. No discipline is enjoyable while it is happening — it’s painful! But afterward there will be a peaceful harvest of right living for those who are trained in this way” (Hebrews 12:10b-11, NLT).

Praise God that his mercies are new every morning — and every moment! — as we stop and acknowledge our sin, repent and ask him to continue to transform us to grow in grace and Christlikeness.

Questions for Reflection:

• Read Galatians 5:13-25. How has your sinful nature guided your life?

• What learning opportunities have you been given by the Spirit recently? What fruit is he producing in your life?

• In what areas do you need to realign your heart and mind with the Spirit’s leading? Spend some time asking God to help you be a willing participant as you become more and more like Jesus.

Dive deeper into what it looks like to grow in grace and Christlikeness through our devotional!

Para leer el devocional en español oprima aquí.