Crazy Talk
You may hear from time to time the term “paradigm shift” tossed around but have you taken time to consider what is really means? I was reading an article titled Paradigm Shift by John Woodward, a former pastor and now the Director of Counseling and Training at Grace Fellowship International. His article once again reminded me of this term. Woodward begins his article with this statement ‘A radical change of personal perspective has been coined “a paradigm shift.” ‘ A radical change of personal perspective? Those are interesting words that mean a lot to me personally. A paradigm shift within the Christian’s life is a radical change that causes amazing shifts in thinking, behaving and even in vocabulary. Terms like abundant life, grace walk, New Covenant living, freedom in Christ and the victorious life seem strange to many believers. It is classified by many as weird if not outright crazy talk. But the changes are so radical within the “shifted” believer that the criticism, although real, does not change the power or authentic experience of Galatians 2:20.
As I read through his article my soul was so encouraged. I am not as crazy as I feel sometimes. Challenging centuries of unscriptural traditions and legalism that has seeped into today’s Christian walk at times leaves me discouraged but it is helpful to know that I am not alone on some tainted theological island. As I continue to trust the Lord in this journey and thank Him for sending encouragement into my life from the writings of men like John Woodward, Steve McVey and others, I will also continue to pray for the the illuminating power of the Holy Spirit to work in the lives of the believers around me. The words of Woodward are so succinct…
The Galatians 2:20 paradigm is not grasped by biblical and theological study alone; it is revealed by the illumination of the Holy Spirit. “Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might know the things that have been freely given to us by God.” (1 Cor. 2:12). Biblical knowledge is not the same as biblical insight. How the Lord must yearn for us, us to fully appreciate the gracious blessings of life in Christ!
To read Woodward’s entire article, go here
Amen Cory!!! There is a major shift that has taken place in my thinking as far as my walk with my Lord Jesus. Gal.2:20 says so much… it’s no longer us who live(so Doree died IN Christ),yet I live but NOT I, but Jesus IN me. We’re buried in baptism into His death, and are also raised into NEW life(born again) IN HIM.
Rom. 6:4~Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.
We’re dead to this world and it’s ways and thinking. We’re made HOLY and RIGHTEOUS, but this isn’t because of ANYTHING we’ve done or have NOT done. It’s Christ and Him ALONE!
Jesus did ALL that we could NEVER do, and made us ALL that we could NEVER be on our own. Humanity’s pride gets in the way, we feel as though we should have a part to play. That’s the kind of thinking that got the Irealites into trouble in Ex. 19. The people basically said, all that the Lord has commanded we’re well able to do. Then in Ex. 20, the 10 Commandments were given, to show the people that they couldn’t meet the PERFECTION that is required by God.
Many talk about repentence, that is still a “works” mentality. Repentence as defined in Strongs #3341 is; metanoia meta”to change” and naouse”mind”, so it means to change your mind/the way you think/see. Repentence happens ALL the time when scripture is opened up to us by the Holy Spirit. We see and agree with what is revealed, so therefore, our minds/thinking changes. It even happens as we hear annointed preaching and teaching. God uses EVERYTHING to teach us.
I’m just so much lighter now that I know I’ve died to ALL that old stuff and walk in His FREE gift of righteousness:
Rom. 5:17~ For if by one man’s offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive “abundance of grace” and of “the gift of righteousness” shall “reign in life” by one, Jesus Christ.)
I just celebrate with you Cory and praise God that there others that know and believe the love that God has for us… just read
I John 4… Amen!
Wow Doree… you sound lifted up!!! Wonderful verses to ponder.
The most freeing paradigm shift, for me, was Galatians 2:20. If it is truly Christ living in me then I, Rachael, do not have to strive to follow or be like Christ because He is in me and I in Him. As I allow Him to live through me then I am more like Him. How incredibly freeing!!!!!
I still to this day struggle to even quote that verse without choking up. What is awesome for me is to see the power of Christ freely expressed in you and others who live out of a newly “shifted” Life. Never gets old.
Miss you all my dear friends…but rejoice in His “awesomeness” as I read your words!
Miss you too but rejoice that we will always be one in Spirit.
I was just reading Romans 4 before reading this…. wow! It’s all right there! Righteousness that comes BY FAITH!!!!! It’s all over! “Blessed is the man whose sin the Lord will never count against him…” all b/c of righteousness by faith! Here I fell intos the same trap for years, too, always keeping bz, bz, bz “doing things for the Lord” wearing myself yet, and many times expecting “a pat on the back…” ai! ai! ai! Have you read the story of George Muller? (Mueller?) It’s absolutely wonderful! May the Lord continue to open our eyes to His amazing truths!
Love,
Rosalee
LOL. I had to laugh, a joyous laugh, when I read your comments Rosalee. Coming to really experience those wonderful truths you cited is “the shift”. And oh, how radical that is. Müller has a really great quote about and experiential shift that started to happen to him in his mid-twenties – “It was at this time that God began to show me that his word alone is our standard of judgment in spiritual things; that it can be explained only by the Holy Spirit; and that in our day, as well as in former times, he is the teacher of his people.”