The picture

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 Peter and John followed Jesus for three and a half years, yet during that time, they did not possess the inner spiritual life that Jesus later offered. Their experience with Jesus was more like a visual representation or a picture rather than a deep, inward transformation. Their journey with Jesus was characterized by external imitation rather than internal change. When Jesus went up the mountain, Peter and John physically followed Him, but this act did not signify an inward spiritual change. Despite their close physical proximity to Jesus and their participation in His activities, Jesus had not yet entered into their lives in a transformative way. The Lord remained external to them—they were still separate from Him in essence.

 You have to see the distinction between external adherence and internal transformation. Peter and John's initial following of Jesus was based on outward actions and imitation. However, true spiritual life and connection with Jesus come from an inward change, where Jesus becomes an integral part of one's life. This transformation was not possible for Peter and John until Jesus' death, resurrection, and the subsequent coming of the Holy Spirit, which allowed Him to enter into their lives and become their inner life source.

 The word teaches us that merely following religious practices or imitating spiritual leaders externally is insufficient for true spiritual growth. Genuine transformation occurs when there is an internal acceptance and incorporation of spiritual truth, leading to a profound change in one's inner life.

 You must see that the Christian life is not a changed life but an exchanged life." This underscores the necessity of an inner transformation where Christ's life replaces the old self.

Therefore, the lesson to be learned is that true spiritual life and growth come from an internal transformation where Christ becomes the central, living presence within us, rather than merely following Him outwardly .

 

#Discp.Sam

Comments

  1. moyinoluwapraise21@gmail.comMay 15, 2024 at 10:20 PM

    Following Religious activities and leaders as good as it sounds, does not hold in itself the capacity and the ability to cause transformation in the life of the executor. However, for there to be an internal transformation resulting in newness of living, there has to be an internal acceptance and incorporation of spiritual truth which will invariably yield spiritual progress.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Adebayo AbrahamMay 16, 2024 at 1:33 AM

    ......"This transformation was not possible for Peter and John until Jesus' death, resurrection, and the subsequent coming of the Holy Spirit, which allowed Him to enter into their lives and become their inner life source.". Imitating a man of God,or reading the scripture didn't guarantee our growth, But we have to acknowledge the finished work of Christ ,and we are willing to do all it takes to please God. This is the beginning of spiritual Progress and Living a New Life.

    ReplyDelete
  3. BoluwatifeMay 16, 2024 at 2:28 AM

    True transformation of a believer can only happen when he received the divine life of Christ that now direct his life. He's first renewed in his/her inner man by the divine life which he will then express outwardly in his/her daily living.

    ReplyDelete
  4. CEE KAYOctober 28, 2024 at 1:44 PM

    Peter and John followed Jesus closely, but their connection was mostly outward. They copied His actions, but real inner change hadn’t happened yet. True transformation only came after Jesus’ death and resurrection, when the Holy Spirit allowed Him to live within them.

    The main thing here is that real spiritual growth is an inner change, not just copying actions. True Christian life means letting Christ live within us, not just following Him outwardly.

    ReplyDelete

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