Did you know that God not only (1) forgives our sins and (2) cleanses us from all unrighteousness, but He also (3) delivers us from the negative aspects of our temperament, our personality, our attitude, our demeanor, our habits?
(1 crises) The forgiveness of sins comes in an initial and instantaneous work of grace in the believing sinner.
(2 crises) The purifying of the heart from the the carnal mind (the old man, the law of sin and death, the flesh, the evil heart of unbelief, the double mind) comes as a subsequent and instantaneous work of grace in the believing Christian.
(3 process) However, the deliverance from personality. habitual, worldview, and behavioral negativity is a process that takes time. The process of spiritual and relational development is a lifelong endeavor, BUT DO NOT MAKE THE MISTAKE of thinking that it takes long for specific views and actions to be changed. For the serious follower of Christ, major changes take place quickly.
We see very few people converted today, and even fewer Christians purified from all sin, and likewise, there are very few believers that are serious enough to allow God to give them a complete transformation.
Whether crises of process, there is a pain that goes with the changes. The changes are worth the pain, but selfie orientation avoids discomfort and inconvenience.
Total change (growth) does not take place without spiritual searching and surrender and sacrifice. In this sense, the old saying is valid, "No pain, no gain."
Romans 8:18
(18) For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.
2 Corinthians 4:14-18
(14) Knowing that he which raised up the Lord Jesus shall raise up us also by Jesus, and shall present us with you.
(15) For all things are for your sakes, that the abundant grace might through the thanksgiving of many redound to the glory of God.
(16) For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day.
(17) For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;
(18) While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.
