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Dallas Willard writes:
"It is not the growth of “will power” we are looking for in spiritual formation, but transformation of all dimensions of the self under the direction of God, through a will surrendered to Him and applied appropriately to bring about personal change." (Dallas Willard, Getting Love Right, Kindle Locations 222-226)
We are not to work harder, or try harder, to self-transform into Christlikeness. To think that trying harder will achieve, e.g., the kind of character Jesus had is to devalue Christ and diminish expectations. "Will power" (Richard Foster calls it "will worship") won't work. This is because what's in the heart will always win. Desires eat willpower for breakfast.
But, if our desires (loves) are transformed, willpower is unnecessary. The transformation or renovation of the heart comes as we surrender to God, by abiding in him. As we surrender to Him, He transforms us. He produces spiritual "fruit" in us, which are qualities of His own being. The fruit of the Spirit are God's desires.
As we abide in Christ He gives us precisely what we cannot achieve in our own strength; viz., the ongoing meta-morphing of our heart into a heart like His.
(Click on the link and get Willard's beautiful little book for $1.)
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I'm now working on...
Technology and Spiritual Formation
(Click on the link and get Willard's beautiful little book for $1.)
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My two books are:
I'm now working on...
Transformation: How God Changes the Human Heart
I am editing a book of essays on the Holy Spirit, authored by my HSRM colleagues. Hopefully this book will be out by the end of May.
And, when all this settles, Linda and I intend on writing our book on Relationships.
