Ready
“I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will remove your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. I will place my Spirit within you and cause you to follow my statutes and carefully observe my ordinances.” – Ezekiel 36:26-27
Set
Shortly before the NFL draft, a college coach was interviewed about his star quarterback who was expected to be the first player chosen. When asked about the qualities that would make this quarterback successful in the NFL, the coach spoke of his skills, athleticism, experience and mental toughness. But, according to the coach, there was something even more significant about the quarterback: he’s faith-driven. The coach put it this way: “He’s an inside-out kid.”
That’s a great description of what Jesus desires for each of us who trust and follow Him - that we would compete and live from the inside out. What does this mean? Our perspectives, choices and actions are no longer determined by external factors such as others’ opinions or cultural pressures. Instead, the Lord’s transformational work at the core of who we are drives how we think, speak and live.
How does this happen? Through the Old Testament prophet Ezekiel, God promises to give a new heart to those who turn to Him—a “heart of flesh” that is responsive to Him. This new heart is directed by God’s Spirit whom God puts within us so that we can live according to the Lord’s good design. In the New Testament, these promises are fulfilled through the “new birth” we experience when we surrender in faith to Jesus Christ. Jesus carries out His work of transforming our hearts through His Spirit who dwells in us, enabling us to be who God wants us to be and do what God wants us to do.
True success comes when you compete and live from the inside out—from a heart shaped by Christ because it is set on Him. Rather than allowing external factors to dictate your attitudes and actions, look to Jesus and respond to His work as He transforms your heart.
Go
In what ways are you influenced by external factors rather than competing and living out of a heart that is being transformed by Jesus?
As you respond to Christ’s transformational work and live inside out, what would change in your attitudes and actions?
Workout
Overtime
“Lord, thank You for giving me a new heart and Your Spirit to dwell within me when I put my faith in You. As You continue to transform me from the inside out, I pray that I would respond to Your work. I desire to compete and live out of a heart that is set on You. Amen.”