Christians, we American consumers, have become accustomed to our technology being constantly upgraded. Some well-known companies release new phones, tablets, computers, mp3 players annually with the latest and greatest features. Smaller screens, bigger screens, faster processors, faster connection speeds, higher resolution cameras, higher resolution screens. We almost demand new upgrades because we cannot settle with what was considered new a year ago.
I take this opportunity to challenge us as Christians, are we being upgraded? Are we being ever transformed by the renewing of our minds? As we progress further in God, there should be a SIGNIFICANT marking of improvement in our Christian walk. We should be able to look back and be amazed at the “upgrades” we have developed. We should have some of these new features: bigger faith, smaller pride, quicker speed to forgive, quicker to repent, apologize, and say I’m sorry, faster at seeking God vs. man, more meekness. We should be able to understand God’s word better, a larger capacity to retain scripture, a larger trust in God. The upgrades in God are ENDLESS.
Jesus is the standard model for our lives, we are promised that we will do greater feats than He did, so we must strive to let God upgrade us. Until we are walking on water, turning water into wine, blessing small amounts of food and feeding thousands and healing every sick person we encounter, and oh yeah, RAISING THE DEAD! We are not fully upgraded.
So how do we get the upgrades? We need to pursue the things of God in a deep, passionate, pursuit. Jesus had all the authority and power because He had the character to steward it perfectly for the Kingdom. As we develop our character in Christ, we will be able to have these same amazing features in our life. God’s desire is to improve you, day after day, week, month and year after year. But He needs your willingness to work on your overall self.
The last thing we need to remember is to embrace our upgrades. When technology is upgraded, people embrace the new way of doing things and forget the old way they did them. In our Christian life, we must cling to and embrace the new way we talk, think, act, love, serve, give and minister. There are some people who are against change, against maturing in the things of God, these people still carry a flip phone and refuse to embrace the new technology available. (no offense to anyone with a flip phone – this is just an analogy to a person’s spirit life) Once you have tasted and seen that what the Lord is doing is good, you cannot imagine going back. I remember when I transitioned one of my family members to a smartphone. They were resistant, hesitant and ultimately thought it was a “dumb” idea. They had never needed these smart capabilities before. When the time came for an upgrade, I asked them if they wanted to go back to a “dumb” phone, the answer was no, they had gotten used to it and liked their new smart capabilities.
If you were going to upgrade any item of technology, you would first disassemble the product, break it down into its many components, remove old slower parts, and install new faster parts and carefully put it back together. Then you would have to install new software compatible to run on the new platform. As Christians, this is a very slow, sometimes painful process, but if you embrace it, you will see God change you into a new person for His will. I pray for the strength and grace to endure and achieve modern upgrades in God, that you may fully embody the power and miracles of Christ in your life, and for you to be bold in affecting others greatly for the Kingdom, in Jesus name, Amen.
Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is – His good, pleasing and perfect will. Romans 12:2 (NIV)
I assure you, most solemnly I tell you, if anyone steadfastly believes in Me, he will himself be able to do the things that I do; and he will do even greater things than these, because I go to the Father. John 14:12 (AMP)
So Jesus answered them by saying, I assure you, most solemnly I tell you, the Son is able to do nothing of Himself of His own accord; but He is able to do only what He sees the Father doing, for whatever the Father does is what the Son does in the same way [in His turn]. The Father dearly loves the Son and discloses to (shows) Him everything that He Himself does. And He will disclose to Him (let Him see) greater things yet than these, so that you may marvel and be full of wonder and astonishment. Just as the Father raises up the dead and gives them life [makes them live on], even so the Son also gives life to whomever He wills and is pleased to give it. John 5:19-21 (AMP)
Now if we are children, then we are heirs – heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in His Glory. Romans 8:17 (NIV)
written and posted by Daniel Poggensee | 2016
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