Did God Remake You?

Our closing hymn today includes this sentence: “Let us show how he has changed us, and remade us as his own.”

Did God remake you?  It’s right there in a hymn, so we know we’re supposed to say “yes” to questions like that.  But… okay, let’s drop the pretense and be honest.  He didn’t really “remake” you, did He?  I mean, sure, He died on the cross, so we could be saved.  He gave us a perfect example to know how to live.  He’s up in heaven, building furniture and hanging heavenly drywall, waiting for us to die so He can welcome us with open arms.

And yes, we are “better” people now than we were before we became Christians.  But don’t you think that’s because we followed the rules?  I mean, they’re really good rules!  We’ve learned our lessons, worked hard, made some good decisions… of course, we credit God for giving us wisdom in the Bible, the example of Jesus’ life, so in a sense it was God doing it.

But when you get down to it, it’s really us.  We did it.  We did it.  Isn’t that cool?

So… take the bread.  Drink the cup.  And remember that you did it.

[deep sigh]

That is such a pile of crap.  It’s what we really think, but it’s still wrong.

If God, the Holy Spirit, is not working within us, speaking to us, actively wrenching our stubborn, sin-soaked selves into shape, towards the beauty, power, and perfection that only He fully comprehends… if this is not happening, then what are we doing here?

In this room, at this table, may we listen, and surrender, letting Him change us, guide us, and truly remake us.

The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, "This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me." In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me." For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes.

Offering Meditation:
The myth of self-sufficiency has a corollary.  If I can make it without the help of others, then others don’t need my help either.  Both claims are wrong.  In reality, God has called us to be co-creators with Him.  It’s not just Him, but it’s not just me, either.  It’s not even just us.  It’s everyone, working together, letting God set the agenda, joining Him in the work He’s already begun.  By giving today, you acknowledge that you can’t let everyone else carry the load.  There are many ways you can join in God’s work.  This is one of them.