Daily Devotions
Home Improvement
Reading for March 7: Joshua 8-10
Weekly reading for March 4-10: Ephesians 1-6
Title: Home Improvement
For this reason I bow my knees before the Father... that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith...
Ephesians 3:14, 17
A young couple buys their first home. It's a "fixer upper": shingles are worn, the plumbing leaks; the siding is rotting; appliances are broken.
They take care of urgent problems first: replacing the roof and siding, fixing leaky pipes, etc. They eventually get to other projects. They pull down old wallpaper and replace the dingy carpet. They repaint and even reconfigure some rooms by tearing down walls. They overhaul the landscaping pulling out weeds and planting new shrubs.
Over time, what was once an eyesore is transformed into their dream home. There were few things that they liked about the house when they bought it (except the price), but now they love their house. Neighbors who remember the way the house looked comment on how much they like the improvements. The couple loves to pull out old pictures to show visitors what their home used to look like. The house has become a glorious testament to their industriousness, creativity, and tireless dedication. It’s a reflection of their personality and industry.
This is a picture of us. God bought us when we were worthless (1 Peter 1:18-19; Titus 3:3) and Christ has made us his own (Philippians 3:12). He moved in with a sledgehammer in hand to tear out all that was corrupt and to rebuild us into his own image (Colossians 3:5-11).
This renovation is a slow gradual process that takes a lifetime, and the more we are changed, the more Christ makes our hearts his home (John 14:23). And the more we are transformed into Christ's image, the more we bring honor to God's name (Ephesians 3:20-21).
The transformation will be complete when we die (Philippians 3:21), and it is this hope that drives us to continue to dismantle every last part of self so that Christ might take its place (Galatians 2:20; 1 John 3:1-3).
O Father, we thank you for purchasing us at great cost and for beginning this great work on us. We pray you will demolish all selfishness and pride in us, remaking us into the perfect image of your Son.
