LORD’S DAY, DECEMBER 10
Psalm 17:1-15
2 Corinthians 3:18

Keep this day holy.

THE SPIRIT TRANSFORMING

When we came to the Lord in salvation we received the Holy Spirit into our hearts. There He began a new work in our lives, to change us into the image of our Lord. This moral transformation is a gradual and sometimes slow and painful process. Nevertheless it is present in every truly saved person and its features may be identified by careful and honest self-examination:

(1) God’s law is accepted as the rule of life. There is a radical change in one’s attitude towards God’s holy commandments. Whereas the unregenerate man hates and despises the law, the child of God embraces it heartily and says, “O how love I thy law! it is my meditation all the day” (Ps 119:97). The law of God has become his delight. “And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments” (1 John 2:3).

(2) There is a sorrowing for sin. The regenerated soul sees his own life under the spotlight of God’s law and realizes how far short he has fallen of God’s righteous requirements. He realizes that he is carnal, sold under sin (Rom 7:14). Therefore there is a sense of unworthiness, self-loathing and godly sorrow. He mourns for his sins and flees to the Saviour for renewed cleansing.

(3) There is genuine humility. Quickening by the Spirit brings a sense of genuine humility. All proud and high thoughts of self are dismissed. He sees his imperfection and his lack of love for God. This fills him with low and humble thoughts of himself. Like the publican he cries, “God be merciful to me a sinner” (Luke 18:13).

(4) Increasing reverence for God. The more a believer grows in grace and in the knowledge of Jesus Christ, the more will he come to appreciate the infinite holiness, majesty, sovereignty and power of God. He is mortified to realize that it was his sin that sent Jesus to the cross. He is overwhelmed when he contemplates the amazing grace and mercy of God to a wretched sinner like him.

THOUGHT: What can hinder the Spirit’s transforming work?
PRAYER: Lord, make me more like the Master.