Working on the Inward Man

Now, I don’t know about you, but I seldom watch any of those celebrity award shows like the Oscars or Golden Globes or such. To me, it’s just a bunch of pretty people getting together to see who has the best plastic surgeon. I mean, just look at Joan Rivers…she’s had more work done than it takes to restore a 1940 Ford to prime condition. Besides, when I read scripture, I am constantly reminded that God’s looks on the heart, not on the outward appearance.

In fact, Paul probably said it best in 2 Corinthians 4:16, “Even though our outward man  is perishing, our inward man is being renewed day by day.”

We all get it….we are fighting a battle we just can’t win …fighting to look youthful while day by day we lose ground in this battle against aging. It is so sad to see so many in our society spending thousands of dollars so their obituary picture will resemble their graduation photos.

God has a much different perspective…and He has tried for all time to help us adopt His philosophy regarding this matter….the outward man is here today and then gone tomorrow; the inward man will live FOREVER.

So then, how should we proceed if we seek to honor our Heavenly Father when it comes to his matter?

How can we show God that we value the inward man; how can we invest in renewing him daily? To do so, we must enter the spiritual gymnasium and workout with the inward man… just as we would workout with our outward, physical man if we wanted to build muscle or lose those pesky twenty pounds. Here’s a suggested inward man exercise program….

We must lift our hearts in praise ….daily!

We must push back selfish and sinful desires…daily!

We must run the race toward the prize of God’s high calling…daily!

We must leap for joy when God comes to our rescue…daily!

We must shoulder the weight of the needs and burdens of others…daily!

We must nourish our soul with the meat of God’s word….daily!

We must stand firm in our defense of God’s work in our lives…daily

We must flee the Evil One…daily …and most of all,

We must mirror our Lord Jesus Christ…for our inward man should be the reflection of our Savior and His Holy Spirit that lives within.

I don’t know about you, but I’ve got some work to do…

See you in the gym of life,

WPQ

Thought for the Day:

Father, it is through your Spirit

We are filled with your love and power.

Please make us more like Jesus

Each day and every hour.

Keep us focused on the things that count,

Help us follow your path and plan.

Let us live our lives in surrender,

Working on the inward man.