INSPIRATION FOR THE WEEK: What Counts The Most?

"It doesn't matter whether we have been circumcised or not. What counts is whether we have been transformed into a new creation." 

- Galatians 6:15 (NLT)

We spend most of our time and energy focusing on the things that count the least. We find ourselves arguing over issues that do not matter much. We become 'experts' on the Christian life, always identifying the wrongs and being the armchair critics of Christianity. At the end of the day this does not bring any value to us or to anyone else.

It is imperative that we start focusing our thoughts and energies on the things that count the most. The more we turn our focus on the things that matter, the more we experience the goodness of our Lord Jesus Christ. The more we consider what counts the most, the more we realize the great things that God is doing in our lives. The more we acknowledge and appreciate His amazing grace.

Paul says what counts is whether we have been transformed into a new creation. The mere mention of the word 'transform' changes our outlook. It opens our eyes that and we see that something must have happened. Transformation begins the day we accept Jesus Christ as our Lord and Saviour. This is only a beginning.

Being transformed means we were in a certain state and now we have assumed a new form. We were conformed to the world but now we have been transformed to be godly beings. The state of godliness is one that we are continually striving to achieve. We will continue until the Lord returns.

God's desire is to transform our character. Everyday, through the Holy Spirit, God is transforming us to be like Christ. It will be folly for us to think this transformation process is a nice experience all the time. At times it calls for us to endure the hardest of times. Until you understand the transformation process, you will keep on mourning over your circumstances instead of thanking God that He is forming 'Christ in you.'

Early in my Christian walk I used to pray, "I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death," (Philippians 3:10). My God is a faithful God and He answers prayers. He answered this prayer (and I think He is still answering this prayer). 'Fellowship of sharing in his sufferings' sounds so sweet when you say it, but when you experience this fellowship it is a different experience. 

Later I realized that through my hardships the Lord was transforming me into the patience of Christ. So many times we get excited over the promises of God such that we do not realize that the Lord has to lead us through problematic experiences before He provides. He has to lead you through the wilderness before He takes you to Canaan.

The Lord wants to transform us into a new creation. He wants to transform the way we think. He wants to transform our attitudes. Ultimately, He wants to transform our character to be like Him. He is holy and He wants us to be holy. He wants to transform us from glory to glory! 

Let us not be worried about what is happening in our lives. Let us not be worried about who says what about us. Let us not be worried about the fact that we are going through trials and tribulations. It doesn't matter what we are going through right now. What counts the most is whether we have been transformed into a new creation.