I walked into the bookstore and saw that these two sections met in a corner. I read the words. I think I even said them in a whisper. They perfectly summarize the problems facing the world.
On the one hand is a model that says we must be the masters of ourselves, that we must change our lives through grit, determination, and action. It is the lonely pursuit of individual transformation. It is based on a view of humanity that at our core, at our base, is goodness. It believes that with the right amount of thinking and effort, then we can all be shining examples of humanity. Unfortunately, it is a fool’s errand.
We cannot really change ourselves. Our nature is hard-baked into us. This is what so many people who rely on politics and power to try to control the world don’t understand. At the root of all self-transformation efforts is selfishness. It is all about us. It is about our goals, what we want, what we desire. That is why the people at the top of these transformation efforts fall into the same old traps. That is why so many grand efforts fail.
The other perspective is that real change is not possible without the help of God. It is only through the intervention of God’s truth, presence, and love that we can really transform. The Bible makes it clear, There is a way that seems right to a man, But its end is the way of death (Proverbs 14:12). Our thinking is broken because of sin in our world. Psalm 51:5 says it plainly, Surely I was sinful at birth.
Since the problem with transformation is sin, instead of wrong thinking or deficient effort, the solution to our problem is not more learning or more discipline, but more God. Romans 12:1-2 suggests the path, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing, and perfect will. Our hope is spiritual transformation through surrendering ourselves to Christ. Christ then transforms our minds so that we begin to think his thoughts.
We can spend all our efforts trying to fix up our old selves or we can let Christ change us. If anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here (2 Corinthians 5:17)!