The Real Goal

The Real Goal

We have heard many sermons.  We have experienced different churches as well.  One of the common themes I personally have heard in sermons is about change – how we need to.   I certainly have “worked on,” change in my life only to be disappointed with myself.   I found out flesh and blood is not so strong.      Is there then, a different way – a better way?

I heard a teacher one time share a personal story about his son.  He said he had asked him to mow the lawn a number of times (he was old enough).   Unfortunately, the son never got “a round tuit,” (around to it), and the father was provoked into some drastic action.

The drastic action was “the paddle.”  He said he had not used it on him in a very long time, because his son was older.  BUT the time had come, after numerous requests for his son to mow the lawn, that he picked it up to discipline him.  His son then took off running out the door – outside – and he was running away from “that thing.”

The father said his son was way far ahead of him, but in time he was just about to overtake him. Suddenly, just before he was about to grab him, the son turned around and blurted out, “The only reason you had me was so I would work!”

The statement was so startling, the father said he did a quick calculation of all the money the parents had spent on this child – let’s see… the hospital bill when he was born, dentist and doctor bills, school, clothes, recreation, sports, “Cocoa Puffs,” etc.  He had about $100,000 in his son mowing the lawn twice!

Therefore with as much money as he spent on him, the answer couldn’t possibly be they had him just to put him to work!  So he dropped to his knees laughing at such a ludicrous thought.

This story (a real one) is an analogy of a real lie that Satan sows into people’s hearts.  The lie is that God wants to save us only to put us to work or just to get us behave a certain way.

Without the knowledge of God’s great, passionate love, people can simply conform outwardly to change, but not experience the incredible warmth, reality, intimacy, and deep, deep love God has for us individually and personally.

Another lie Satan has tried to sow in hearts is that until we change, God isn’t going to speak to you.  This may have been true of Mount Sinai in the wilderness, but it’s not true of Mount Zion in the Person of Jesus Christ.

God took great pains to write the New Covenant epistle letters to the saints to let us know a new day has come.  Jesus Christ is the One who took away our sins in the sight of God so we could ALWAYS have free access to Him.  Also, that it is through coming and “hanging out” with God and Jesus that we will indeed see glorious transformation in our lives!!!!  And it may take a while.

He said so:  “But we all, with unveiled face (freedom), beholding as in a mirror, the glory of the Lord, are being transformed from glory to glory BY THE SPIRIT.”  II Corinthians 3:17

THE TRUTH:  God truly wants us to realize is that it is only THROUGH JESUS real change comes.  And that first, we WERE CHANGED in spirit when we were born of God – and this spiritual transaction works itself outwardly through the years as we GROW IN GRACE and in the KNOWLEDGE of our Lord Jesus Christ.  II Corinthians 5:17

So then, the real goal is KNOWING this Person, Jesus, for ourselves – very personally – understanding Him and HOW He is working in me.

When we were little kids we were not so aware of our faults.  Instead, when Daddy came home, our desire was to run into his arms (it may or may not have happened that way).  We did not have a conscience of evil – only Love.  As we grew older though, our consciences grew with lies and hurts.  The reason so many want to go back to their childhood is they are looking for something.

What are we looking for?  We are looking for a true person – a childlikeness – and most of all, that we were cared for as REAL people – not machines set for sail on life’s journey to produce.

In closing, God cares about people and who they are – work comes later.  If work is simply at the forefront and only outward behaviors, we will be puppets with dry hearts and souls.

Yet God is love.  He is alive, full of grace and mercy – definitely animated – enough for you and me. So if I do indeed want REAL change, then it shall come through dancing with a REAL PERSON, Jesus Christ.   “For truly our fellowship is with our Father and His Son, Jesus Christ.”

Again, the goal then is:  “To know the only true God and Jesus Christ Whom He sent.”  John 17:3

That I May Know Him,

Sue Gaither