It would appear abundantly evident from Scripture that the way the Father works in His children is from the heart out.
When I came to Christ I had a very supernatural one on one encoutner in which I debated with the Lord on the basis of what I thought I could never live.
I told Him that I could never live like the Christians I had encountered seeing I was confident that most if not all were nothing more than hypocrites based on their outward imperfections. Even though I myself was a vile sinner, I still had the notion that I was in some condition to critique and criticize those who had receieved Christ.
From that basis I formed my argument against God's call to me to be saved thinking it was solid and could more than end His call to me that day. I argued with Him that whatever I did, I did all out. I sinned all out, all my vices were engaged with abandonement. I then gave Him the line of reasoning that I thought would forever quiet His voice.
I said to Him, "I could never see myself living the Christian life all out, I could never see myself being like the Christians I have encountered who say they believe in You but live what I think are messed up lives."
His answer to a chief of sinners such as myself was more powerful than I could resist. He said to me simply, "Tim, I have to change you, you cannot give me 50% at your best effort I must change you on the inside."
Well that ended my crafty argument and here I stand today in Christ held secure by His grace and love. I am so thankful God chose to bring me into His kingdom through the work of Christ and establish me as a son to Him on the merits of Christ' obedience.
That day, when I surrendered to His call to become His, my life forever changed. Mind you, I did not become outwardly perfect and am still not outwardly perfect. In my flesh dwells no good thing. But I am no longer characterized by the sin that once dominated me. I have the life of Christ and I am His because He has made it to be so.
Through the work of His Spirit in my heart I am ever growing and changing as He reveals Christ, to me, and in me, in order to bring me into conformity to His image. I can run the race He has given me in the confidence that He will see me through based on the promises He has made to Jesus who lives in me.
Though my outward man perishes, my inward man is being renewed day by day as I enjoy the sweet fellowship of God because of the grace that is mine through Christ!
About The Author
- Tim Atchley
- Knoxville, Tennessee, United States
- I currently serve as Senior Pastor of Harvest Church in Knoxville, Tn. I was sent out from Trinity Chapel of Knoxville in 1993 accompanied by my wife Sheila our four children Sarah, Hannah, Josiah & Isaac and a handful of bold, brave and committed believers determined to plant our first church. Pioneering is hard work but well worth the journey. That is why we desire to make disciples of Christ who will, like us, also embrace the call to plant churches.
