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Jesus never expects us to just change, or simply begin to have new affections toward Him. We naturally, because of sin, do not want to do what Jesus thinks is good. In fact naturally, we like darkness, we find twisted joy and satisfaction in it. Jesus listens to our hearts, He knows our struggle. JESUS FORGAVE US OF OUR SINS, SO THAT THE SPIRIT OF GOD CAN COME AND LIVE IN US. Jesus made a messy house clean. The Holy Spirit actually comes to those who trusted in Jesus and begins to transform the heart, renew the soul, and make us into a new person(Ezekiel 36:27). The Holy Spirit works in us and through us. Before we didn’t naturally desire to be pure but now the Holy Spirit causes us to desire new affections that please God. God gives us the Holy Spirit and leaves us on earth so we can now do what God wills(Jeremiah 31:33).

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What is God’s will? To bring God’s culture of life, to heal man’s culture of death, to be the hero! God wants to heal that which has been hurt, distorted, and broken by our sin. God wants to progress life, truth, justice, peace, joy, wisdom, and love. He does this through those whom the Spirit lives in. The Spirit causes us to bear the fruit of love, joy, peace, patience, self-control, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, and gentleness(Galatians 5:22). THESE ATTRIBUTES ARE NOT NATURAL FOR US, but with the Spirit of God, we bear these fruits. God fills the people with the Spirit to be an image of peace, justice, truth, balance, grace, and healing. A community that is humble, seeks reconciliation, seeks societal healing, and embodies justice. This is the church, the church is the people who gather in their faith that Jesus saves alone. The church is not a building or event but a transformed community, seeking Jesus in reconciling all things(Acts 1:8).

 

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Q. God understands we do not naturally feel a desire to do what He wants, Did you know that this is why we have the Spirit, to be who we never could be?

 

Q. Have you ever thought of the church as a transformed community, filled with the Spirit and the fruits of grace, justice, love, transformation, and power and not just a building with services?

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