“But, beloved, we are confident of better things concerning you, yes, things that accompany salvation, though we speak in this manner. For God is not unjust to forget your work and labor of love which you have shown toward His name, in that you have ministered to the saints, and do minister. And we desire that each one of you show the same diligence to the full assurance of hope until the end, that you do not become]sluggish, but imitate those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.” (Hebrews 6:9-12 NKJV)
“Therefore lay aside all filthiness and overflow of wickedness, and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.” (James 1:21 NKJV)
“And if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, He who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit, who lives in you.” (Romans 8:11 BSB)
My wife edited a picture in which she combined the body of a 55 year old fitness instructor and my head.This produced a motivational picture to help me dream of a brighter future. For the first time in my life I had a 6 pack (and it wasn’t made up of pop top cans).
When I look in the mirror this is how I see myself through my eyes of faith. While the body in this picture may be “borrowed,” my transformative fitness journey will soon produce these results in my “current” body.
I am being renewed and transformed from the inside out. It began with my reborn spirit which is a new creation in Christ (fully alive, perfected, and seated in Heavenly places).
It is completely changing my soul (mind) as it is being renewed with the Mind of Christ.
And my body is being quickened (enlivened) as immortality is swallowing up my mortality. My youth (strength, vitality, and energy) is being renewed daily.
The only thing left is for my body to catch up with my spirit and soul (mind). This is where as I start from a position of resting in the promises that are mine in the finished work of Christ I add to them faith and obedience. But that is not enough. I must also daily do what it takes to discipline my body. Being all that I was created to be sometimes demands that I invest some good old fashioned sweat equity.
The best is yet to come as I am being awakened to the eternal life that dwells within me. All consciousness of sin, aging, and death is being removed. It is being replaced with the conscious expectation of righteousness, youth, and abundant life that never ends, starting TODAY!
As I add appropriate works and patience to my faith, I fervently expect to see the results.
How about you?Are you ready to experience…
…Eric’s Life Lesson # 508: Looking in the Mirror