Image consultants have become indispensable for entertainers, athletes and politicians to help them manage the way they are perceived in the eyes of the world. Some need an extreme makeover. Read last week’s God’s Real Makeover. There is an obstacle within ourselves that we need to know about God’s real makeover. That is, left on our own we all have the tendency to follow the culture’s definition of significance.
The sinful nature wants to do evil, which is just the opposite of what the Spirit wants. And the Spirit gives us desires that are the opposite of what the sinful nature desires. These two forces are constantly fighting each other, so you are not free to carry out your good intentions. Galatians 5:17
The problem with is sin is that it is so daily. God’s way and our own way collide on a regular basis, but God has an answer.
My counsel is this: Live freely, animated and motivated by God’s Spirit. Then you won’t feed the compulsions of selfishness. For there is a root of sinful self-interest in us that is at odds with God’s spirit, just as the Spirit is incompatible with selfishness… Since this is the kind of life we have chosen, the life of the Spirit, let us make sure that we do not just hold it as an idea in our heads or a sentiment in our hearts, but work out its implications in every detail of our lives.
That means we will not compare ourselves with each other as if one of us were better and another worse. Galatians 5:16, 25-26
We see quite an opposite picture when we don’t choose God’s way. It is obvious what kind of life develops out of trying to get your own way all the time… Galatians 5:19-21
We can’t earn or buy God’s makeover.
It’s free, but it’s not easy to experience. We can’t be good enough to transform our lives. God’s real makeover is not a place we go to get done it done, it’s an inside job that only God can do in developing the character qualities seen in Galatians 5.
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Galatians 5:22-23
All of us are good candidates for God’s real makeover? You can’t earn it or pay for it and even though it’s free there’s a prerequisite, it begins with a relationship with Christ. Once Christ takes up residence in our lives He desires that we do so some personal inventory of our hearts and allow Him to do some repairing and remodeling. Fortunately, because God’s spirit is an expert in renovation He can make our makeover a success.
Begin here – choose ‘three’ character qualities from Galatians 5 that you need most in your life.
We can experience God’s real makeover by knowing and living out three choices:
First, live like you have the character qualities in Galatians 5.
Suppose you don’t like your neighbor and you want to drive on his lawn or put up garage sale sign on his front lawn on Saturday morning or order several pizzas to his home. Don’t do want might be natural instead act like you’re kind. Do the possible, God can do the impossible.
Over time acts of kindness can begin to mold and change you where it can eventually become a natural reflection of God’s spirit working in you. So act like you’re kind until it becomes more of who you are.
Secondly, realize God is the only source of your real makeover.
If I don’t really believe this is true I’ll keep looking to change my ‘outside’ feel betters whether it’s more of _________ or bigger and better__________… Whatever you seek that God is not the source of God’s love will elude you.
I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. John 15:5
We cannot experience God’s makeover by our own efforts. We need to decide if Jesus is telling us the truth – are we connected to the vine or to the world’s definition of significance? If you’re thinking, ‘I’d like this makeover to happen, but I’m not convinced that God is my only source.’ It’s good you’re honest, your admission will help.
Thirdly, choose God’s way for every opportunity.
The more you practice the three qualities you chose they can become more of a habit. What makes someone attractive is when they choose God’s way. A lot of people don’t know God’s way so they can’t choose it. It’s like a waiter asking you if you’re ready to order when you haven’t seen the menu yet.
To find out what’s on the menu read the next blog.
