Renovation of the Heart
Posted on 20. Sep, 2008 by Henrik Korslind in Bible, Books, Featured Articles, Kingdom of God, Music, Theology
I have been preparing for yet another sermon. The title is “One step further” and has to do with the fact that we all need to change certain things in our lives and this Sunday we will be looking at how we can make that next step of change happen.
As I’ve been writing I happened to pick up a book that has been standing in my shelf the last couple of years, collecting dust and waiting for a special occasion. The book I ended up reading a good part of, is Dallas Willard’s book “Renovation of the Heart”. It was first published back in 2002 and has received a great deal of positive reviews. The subtitle share the main purpose of this excellent book; putting on the character of Christ.
Willard starts by asserting what the Bible clearly states, namely that the human life flows out from the inner being, from the heart and soul (Proverbs 4:23
). The Spirit within us have been shaped by different factors and it has a specific character. Therefore, how we live here on earth is almost totally a result of who we have become in the depths of our inner most being. It can be really comforting to ascribe most of our experiences in life to factors outside ourselves, since we then don’t have to take on our responsibility.
The second chapter is dedicated to spiritual formation in relation to the church. Willard boldly states that we need to change and Jesus is the one who is essential for this change to actually take place. What Jesus started 2000 years ago was a revolution. He just didn’t send people out to share some new thoughts, his goal was to gather the whole of humanity under the eternal plan of God. This revolution of Jesus is foremost a revolution that aims for the heart of people, it is a revolution that has to do with a change of character which change humans from the inside out through the personal fellowship with God in Christ Jesus and with other humans.
“There is a fundamental error within the conservative part of Gods church today where they believe the main goal is to prepare as many people as possible for death and to enter into heaven. They strive to get people into heaven rather than getting heaven into people.”
I’m listening to Brenton Brown’s CD Everlasting God and stop as I hear the lyrics of the 13th track “We will go”;
Light of the World, You’ve shone on us
You filled our hearts with hope that reaches out
Friend of the lost, Saviour to me
Friend of the lost, come burn in me
Make me a flame, set me on fire to be
A light in the world
Books and Magazines Blog » Archive » Renovation of the Heart
Sep 20th, 2008
[...] Original post by Ekklesia [...]
Burhon
Dec 17th, 2008
That sounds like an good book to read, that is needed. But when I read, “…How we can make that next step of change happen.” I remembered a book and am prompted in my spirit. Its called “The Walk of the Spirit the Walk of Power”. You may have heard or heard and read this book or about it. Please, read this book. It will bless your socks off. By the way, I recommend everyone to read this book about five times. So go ahead to the website that I placed and check it out. Its free or you can order it. I met the write and if their is anyone that I know is a man of integrity and full of the Holy Spirit that is alive today, it would be Dave Roberson. Glory be to God.