What Glenn Writes

Our church is undergoing a renovation project, although we own no building. We are tearing down walls and rebuilding, although we won’t touch a hammer or construction tool in the process. We are focused on the Biblical meaning of the word “church”, which emphasizes the people and not the brick, or the community and not the building. Our renovation project is with the people of our church community.

Our focus will not change, nor will our mission. We will hold to the same creedal statements establishing our foundation as believers. If you take a photograph of our community today and take another in a year, you may not see a difference in this renovation project other than a few new faces or a few missing faces. We may appear to be the same, for this renovation project is not going to change us physically – the change is in our hearts or in the essence of whom we are as people. 

Some may question to what I am referring, so let’s take a look at 2 Corinthians 3:18:

And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.

Some may think our physical appearance will change, but the word used for likeness here is meaning “of having the same qualities”. You see, this renovation project reaches to the structural core of our beings without impacting the aesthetics, other than perhaps a different expression or demeanor.

As most would expect, we are seeking consulting on this renovation project. We have found the original Chief Architect and He is providing an on-site Engineer.

When Scripture says the Holy Spirit “abides” in us, it means God’s Spirit comes on-site in one of the most wonderful renovation projects we will ever know. He lives on-site, in each of us, guiding us in a way ever so subtle and ever so right. We find this in John 16:13:

But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come.

When we submit to God for His “Extreme Make-Over”, we submit to a transformation available to not just a select few, but everyone who seeks Him. The Holy Spirit does not just come to a select few, pastors, preachers, or teachers, but to all followers of Jesus Christ. This is evident in the transformation of the early church in the New Testament, and through the accounts of so many believers today.

The Holy Spirit works in each of us to transform us through the revelation of God’s Word. There is no revelation apart or differing from Scripture. He opens the Bible in understanding, guiding us and leading us in ways different from our own, comforting us and giving us peace, and also revealing things yet to come.
 
I believe God speaks to each of us through the Holy Spirit, sometimes pounding on us to get our attention, but most times only offering guidance and direction when we seek after Him and desire His presence. This means we have to spend quality time with the Lord daily, seeking Him with a desire for Him to open our hearts fully to hear his voice.

Isn’t this a significant part of every solid relationship? After all, when you are enduring a major renovation project like this, don’t you think you should be talking to the Engineer on a regular basis?

I encourage you to seek after the Lord in a prayer conversation. He is with you through the presence of the Holy Spirit, which means He is with you right now… listening and speaking to your heart.

Are you talking? And, a more important question, are you listening?

Glenn Sasscer

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