spiritually focused life 2

(A look at Renovation of the Heart (Student Edition) Dallas Willard, Randy Frazee, continued)

The vision to transform my body rests on a spiritually focused life. Here are some more characteristics of this life.

3. Your Body, Your Choice- I don’t force my ways on you. Following Jesus’ way, as I am in relationship with you, I will pursue his ways. I will not try to use any forceful methods of persuasion to get you to see his ways. I will not try to gain advantage over you. Like Jesus, I honor your capability to make your own choices without trying to manipulate you or aggressively applying pressure to make you change those choices.

4. Christ’s Choice vs. Your Choice- I will be in relationship with you, but I will also pursue the ways of Jesus. As I am experiencing Christ’s guidance and power in keeping my commitments to him, he is making it possible for me to refuse to follow any other road. It becomes easier to do the right thing.

In my relationship with you, if you choose a path not consistent with that of Jesus, I will respectfully decline to participate. I will do so in a gentle, non-judgmental manner, but it will be clear the path I choose.

I realize this may freak you out. In the past, my decisions would be following my own desires. It is not the past, however. In the present and future, I am committed to following Jesus’ desires. I will not try to force this on you, and neither will I back away from what he is doing in my life.