Newsletter: October 5, 2003 GODISFORUS.COM NEWSLETTER October 5, 2003 Volume I, Issue 3 Greetings to all! I hope this newsletter finds everyone standing firm in the grace of God! This is the third issue of our bi-monthly newsletter designed to bring encouragement for the Christian walk and witness and to help others better understand the website and how it can be used to evangelize the lost. You can view previous issues of the newsletter at this URL: http://www.godisforus.com/Archives.htm. =================================================================== Our Walk and Witness: Thus far we have considered what scripture teaches regarding the mandate and the need for sanctification. In this issue consideration will be given to the goal of sanctification. We have already learned that Jesus gave Himself for us that we might "die to sin and live to righteousness". However that thought becomes more focused by beginning to understand that God's desire for us is that we be transformed to the end that we become conformed to the character image of Christ. Jesus lived a perfect life never once sinning in any way and it is God's will for our lives that we strive to be like Jesus in every aspect of our being. In the book of Romans Paul points out that believers have been predestined to become conformed to the image of Gods' Son ( Romans 8:29). A little later in chapter 12 he tells us not to be conformed to this world but to be transformed by the renewing of our minds (Romans 12:1-2). In II Corinthians 3:17-18 Paul describes the process in this way: (2 Cor 3:17-18 NASB) Now the Lord is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. {18} But we all, with unveiled face beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as from the Lord, the Spirit. It is hard for us to imagine living our lives perfectly before God day by day, hour by hour, moment by moment, yet it is God's will that we aim for this goal as we seek to be conformed to the image of Christ (Mat 5:48 NASB) "Therefore you are to be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect. As you start each day is it your goal to be consciously striving to be conformed to the image of Christ in every thought, attitude, word and deed? If not, I encourage you to embrace this aspect of God's will for your life. At the same time I want to be careful in saying I do not believe it is expected of us or even possible to obtain a state of moral perfection in this life. In fact if one places this type of expectation upon himself the result might well be disastrous. In the next newsletter we will begin to look at the resources that God has made available to enable us to accomplish this task. THE WEBSITE: In the last newsletter I described what is found at the "Home" page. In the next section of the site "Table Talk" there is a series of paragraphs which convey the essence of Christianity in the framework of six points. This section provides a clear and concise explanation of the fundamental issues with a link at the end of each paragraph directing the reader to the place where these topics can be explored in greater depth. Those seeking God should be encouraged to thoughtfully consider the "Table Talk" portion of the site first. The information found there can be used by Christians to interact with those they are trying to share the Gospel with. Each point can be discussed one at a time providing the opportunity to find out where those seeking God need further assistance in coming to a saving knowledge of the truth. In our next newsletter we will begin to look at the contents of the "Library" where all the relevant issues are discussed in greater depth.. Because God is For Us, Kevin McGill