“Sow for yourselves righteousness; reap steadfast love; break up your fallow ground; for it is time to seek the Lord, that he may come and rain righteousness upon you.” -Hosea 10:12
It is one thing to say that spiritual transformation is the heart of the Christian life, but it is another thing entirely to attempt to explain how this transformation works. Unfortunately, without some direction towards pursuing such a glorious permutation, one is left merely hoping for this all-encompassing change to take place on its own. One simply has to look around to recognize that this “wait and see” approach has limited results. Thus, it was significant when one commentor asked this very question, and combined it with a rather astute insight:
“…how exactly does that transformation take place? Certainly not by an act of our will, or else we wouldn’t have needed Jesus. In my opinion, it is active grace that transforms a person who is willing to submit, but may not be capable of being fully submitted through their own will power.” -Allie
I have to agree that willpower will always fall short of leading to a restored life. Also, I love the imagery of an “active grace”, and concur with the idea that submission is of absolute necessity in the Christian experience – provided that submission is not a passive acceptance, and rather an active response to the manifest will of God. I would, however, take the quest for spiritual transformation a step further.
I love this passage in Hosea, and it falls in a rather interesting spot within the proclamation made by this prophet. The surrounding passages are ones which speak of judgment for disobedience, but in the midst of them we find this gem – a vision of what God hopes for His people. The imagery is one often used throughout scripture. A seed is sown, the ground cultivated, the rain streams nourishment, the sunlight provides warmth, and a tiny plant grows into maturity. This is how our spiritual growth happens.
The truth is, we are not responsible for our own transformation. We can’t be. Our redemption is won by Jesus, and our salvation worked through the sanctifying power of the Holy Spirit. We become a changed creature, renewed into the image of our creator, as a work solely of God, in much the same way a seed grows into a sapling. The farmer does not make the seed grow… however, the farmer DOES work to actively cultivate an environment within which that tiny plant might best flourish.
So it is with us. We may not be the ones doing the transforming, but we are the ones enriching the soil of our soul, digging up the hardened ground in our hearts, pulling the weeds which threaten to choke our spiritual life, and nurturing that same life with the rain of the worship of the Spirit of God. We may not be the Savior of our souls, but we are certainly participants in its restoration.
When we boil it all down, this is the core of discipleship.
What about you? What role do you see us playing in our personal spiritual transformation? How does this compare with your understanding of the relationship between discipleship and Christian salvation?
Related articles
- The Bible: Understanding the “Work in Progress” God (ofdustandkings.com)
- Christian Contentment and the Kingdom of God (ofdustandkings.com)
- The Kingdom of God: Eternity Begins Now (ofdustandkings.com)
Allie February 6, 2012 at 4:10 pm
I really like the analogy of the farmer and the seed and how it is our responsibility to cultivate an environment of growth. I think a big part of the process is being honest with God about our struggles. God already knows what is happening in our hearts, but I think as Christians we often want to put on a "brave face" and pretend like we are stronger than we are, or else we avoid God out of guilt. Coming to God honestly and in our weakness is key, I think. Recently, when I was struggling with some destructive habits, I told God, "I keep doing these same things over and over and I can't stop. I need your help." When I admit to him that I am struggling, He gives me comfort and strength. And the fear of being rejected by Him because of imperfection goes away. Over time, if I keep coming to Him this way, he carries me through my time of weakness second by second and teaches me along the way.
Beatriz May 1, 2012 at 4:38 pm
Not I but Christ (Gal 2:20) is my goal, that is why I need transformation, my mind to be renewed (Rom 12) and be conformed to the image of the Son of God (Rom 8:28-29).
I need my heart to be turned to the Lord always so that the veil (everything that is not Christ) may be taken away, to behold and reflect the Lord’s glory (2 Cor 3:16-18).
Thank You, Lord, for giving me Your life and nature so that sonship (Eph 2:5), the reason of my life, be fulfilled in me. May my mind be set on my spirit (Rom 8:6) to enjoy Your grace and mercy in my daily life!