A Practical Guide for Transformative Growth Part 1Намуна

HOW - Relationship Transforms More Than Information or Willpower

There is a falsehood that entered the church during the Enlightenment era. It is that knowledge is the pathway to enlightenment. The logic goes like this – Once I know a better way, then I can choose that better way. If I do not make the right choice, I need to try harder the next time. This is a departure from the pathway to transformation that Christ espoused. Jesus demonstrated and taught that it was not only about what you know but more importantly, who you are connected to. Human beings are mimetic, meaning that we have been designed by God to learn by imitation. This is a major part of why Jesus came. Mankind could not be transformed by the law (or a book); we needed a man to demonstrate the way. Jesus says to love others as I have loved you. Not only that, but He also helps us, through the Spirit, to fulfil that command. Without an abiding relationship with Christ, we have no hope of attaining maturity. This is why in the foundational passages you saw that the connection to Christ and scripture are both necessary.

Much of our modern spiritual practices are biased toward the intellectual rather than relational. We study the Bible, sit in a crowd at church listening to sermons week after week, and assume that by doing this alone, we will grow. Not so. Consider that the early church was more centered around having communion with God and each other in much smaller groups in each other’s homes. They were much more focused on building relationships with God and each other. They understood that this is the pathway to spiritual growth.