into the likeness of Christ that we might glorify Him.
"God intends to make us into totally new people, not by tinkering with different kinds of religious rituals or by trying to reform our behavior, but by changing us through His Spirit into the likeness of Christ" (Dr. Charles Stanley). Galatians 6:15-16: "In Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, but a new creation. And as many as walk according to this rule, peace and mercy be upon them, and upon the Israel of God."
We have just read a list of religious pursuits in Isaiah 47, that God says will fail. These include sorcery, astrology, stargazing and "monthly prognosticators" (monthly almanacs based on astrological calculations pointing out lucky and unlucky days & coming disasters) (v. 9, 13). (In relation to these pursuits, God asked the question in Isaiah 8:19, "Should not a people seek their God?" I recently noticed that a small town not too far from Mt. Celo now has a "palm reader". I think of this scripture every time I drive by there & would love to see this verse posted with their sign.)
God says in Isaiah 48:17-18, "Thus says the Lord, your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: 'I am the Lord your God, who teaches you to profit, who leads you by the way you should go. Oh, that you had heeded My commandments! Then your peace would have been like a river, and your righteousness like the waves of the sea". God promised "peace and righteousness" in Isaiah's passage and "peace and mercy" in Galatians.
God warns us in Galatians 6:7, "Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap". To think that we can live by our own desires and not experience the consequences of our actions is nothing more than self-deception.
Dr. Stanley points out that the church cannot bear the burdens (Galatians 6:2) of those who are not there. And that, contrary to some beliefs, we do need the Church--the body of believers. (That's why the writer of the book of Hebrews wrote in 10:25, not to forsake the assembling of ourselves together.) And, as members of the body of Christ we must "get it together" or we cannot help someone else with their burden. And how can God use us as members of His body? As believers we are to "be transformed by the renewing of our minds" (Romans 12:2)--developing more spiritual flavor and becoming brighter lights, preserving that which is right in a world that is in decay and shining the light of truth in a culture that walks in darkness.
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