A transformed worldview is an important part of spiritual maturity. But it is not nearly enough. We all know people (including ourselves) that know a lot about God and the Bible that we would not label "spiritually mature". Why? What is the missing component?
The second level of transformation required in the race toward spiritual maturity involves changing the way we live. Again, both Psalm 86:11 and Romans 12:2 speak to this:
Teach me your ways, O Lord, that I may live according to your truth! Grant me purity of heart, so that I may honor you. Psalm 86:11 (NLT)
Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect. Romans 12:2 (NLT)
A transformed worldview is only helpful to the extent it enables us to live a transformed life. It is not enough to view life from a Christian worldview, we must strive to live life according to that transformed worldview.
How do we transform our lifestyle? In many ways, but primarily through being with other Christians who can model it for us. While a transformed worldview can be taught by others, a transformed lifestyle is more likely to be caught from others. We need to be around people who can intentionally (and unintentionally) show us how to live the Christian life. We need to learn how to live out the answers to these questions:
- What does it look like to live in a Christian marriage?
- How do I act and react as a Christian parent?
- How do I make decisions about work and finances and relationships as a Christian?
- How do I respond to life from a Christian perspective?
- Etc, etc, etc.
At Grace Point, our Life Groups are designed to help people live transformed lives in a close family of other Christians trying to do the same thing. Life Groups are a place to learn to live the Christian life together with others who are doing the same thing.
As our worldview and lifestyle is transformed, God will transform us in even more amazing ways. That is the subject of the next post.
How about you? Does your lifestyle reflect your worldview? If so, how? If not, why not? How has your lifestyle changed over the years?
