In order to have lasting transformation, Jesus chooses to partner with us. Dallas Willard says it this way.

Without Jesus I can do nothing, but if I do nothing, it will certainly be without Jesus.

The path of self-denial is a one of cooperation. Not everyone understands this. I am of a faith tradition that so strongly emphasizes grace (God’s free gift of love) that any effort on our part will smack of “works righteousness.” We are trying to earn God’s love if we talk about doing the right things. The spiritual disciplines are not a focal point of life because they seem to be human effort to earn God’s favor.

As a result of this kind of thinking, after we become Christian, we are supposed to just sit back and be transformed through some kind of spiritual osmosis. That is not the reality of Kingdom life, however. By fearing we would have a “heart attack” if we dare speak of doing something to grow in our faith, we become complacent in our non-response. In the faith tradition of many Christians, it becomes a badge of honor not to do anything.

Trouble is, transformation doesn’t happen this way. This is why the lives of most Christians look the same as non-Christians. Without partnering with Jesus, we are on our own. He will not do our self-denial for us. Oh, we do not doubt we will be in heaven with him someday, but he actually wants to work with us in Kingdom living now.

There is another way. Our efforts fall into the category of VIM. “Vim” is defined, ”energy and enthusiasm,” from the Latin vis, meaning “strength.” Dallas uses it as an acronym for Vision, Intention, and Means. Through this three-step process, Jesus transforms us into the kind of people who can do the things he would do if he were us in any situation.

“We don’t do good things so that God loves us. God loves us, and our response of thanksgiving is to do good things.” What does this mean to you?

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