How to Spot a Transformed Christian
PAGE 6 of 6
Let me sum this up.
There are Marines, and you know them when you see them. They bear the evidence of a remarkable transformation. And then there are Christ-followers, and among them you see the occasional mature, transformed follower of the Lord. And you know them because, as you draw closer, you see Christ in them.
Gordon MacDonald is editor at large of Leadership Journal and chancellor of Denver Seminary.
Copyright © 2012 by the author or Christianity Today/Leadership Journal.
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PAGE 6 of 6
Gordon MacDonald is chancellor of Denver Seminary and editor-at-large for Leadership Journal. He is author of numerous books, including Going Deep: Becoming A Person of Influence.
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Displaying 6–10 of 25 comments
Dave C.
As long as American Christianity is numbers oriented in terms of defining what successful ministries look like, I doubt that long-term discipleship and growing in one's respective faith tradition will have much credence. Essentially, many forms of Christainity today are a simple "Get Out of Hell Free" card sort of faith that one pulls out of their wallet when they smell the grim reaper knocking at the door.
Sarah
Dr. MacDonald, thank you for this article! This is the kind of devotion and transformation I long for. Praise God for His grace and faithfulness that the work He starts in us He will be faithful to complete.
Rita K
I further suggest the heading and first 2 paragraphs be amended as "4. Worships, with a spirit of continuous thankfulness of Christ' complete redemptive work on the cross. As in all other personal relationships, there is an appropriate rhythm in routines in order to refresh one's relationship to God. Worship is an appropriate description for this. The transforming believer recognizes that these are the moments to elevate life to an eternal perspective, to experience the interior eternal cleansing by Christ' death on the cross, to rekindle a satisfying joy and hope in life. Like Isaiah, he gains a sense of his own true size, his need to acknowledge his unique forms of brokenness and understands it is only through Christ that he has been completely forgiven of his past, present and future sins, elevated to true righteousness and seated on the right hand of Christ. In other words, he understands, acknowledges and appropriates Christ' complete redemptive work on the cross for our sins."
Linda C.
As a Christian of 32 yrs I am pretty well grounded in God's Word, I really enjoyed reading this article. I am not a educated person but I do know what imperative means, and I can also say that my marriage of 30 yrs is not where I want it to be because my husband is not a believer either(yet),but I do make it a point to love him where he's at with his relationship to God. I can honestly say I had to look up the word "Vitriol" but could not relate the meaning to marriage at all. Maybe I'm from a different planet also, but I can say I am truly not of this world....God Bless you Chris D....hope you find a deeper walk with the Lord.
jimmie
Someone counted the article as very lacking, right down to "remarrying" the wife. Seems they missed the whole point of the article, as they're response came as a glowing example of the point of the article. Trouble, or whatever we call will be here, but if no one is willing to trust the WORD and direction of the Holy Spirit to facilitate the changes in the individual spoken of here, then, no, there will be no change for that individual.
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