A friend made a slight alteration to a typical chocolate-chip cookie recipe. She substituted coconut oil for ordinary butter. The oil infused the dough with a light flavor of coconut, which made the cookie special. The swap between butter and coconut oil did not change the appearance of the cookie; anyone looking at the cookie would think it was chocolate chip. Only a sampling of the cookie revealed the change in flavor.
When I became a Christian the Holy Spirit infused my sinful nature with the Holy nature of Christ. I was still a sinner, but I was a sinner saved by grace. My outward appearance did not change; friends were still able to recognize me. However, inwardly, my heart was changing. At first, I found it difficult to detect the changes the Holy Spirit was making to my life. Then, slowly, I began to realize my old behaviors were not acceptable to God. When I became angry, the Spirit awakened a remorse in me over my anger. I was still impatient with others, but the Spirit made me aware of the damaging affects impatience had on my relationships with people and God. And the Spirit was teaching me to use my tongue to encourage others and honor God.
I have a long way to go, but the Spirit will continue to change my heart, and one day I will “become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ” (Ephesians 4:13).
Denise Larson Cooper has a passion for Christ and sharing His Word. A wife and mother of two daughters, Denise currently works as a gymnastic coach.
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Check Out Denise’s Books!
Godnesia: Keeping God in Mind Each Day http://amzn.to/2GSquOD
Ordinary Days With an Extraordinary Savior – http://amzn.to/2mFGASB
Life Is a Metaphor: Recognizing God in the Everyday – http://amzn.to/2De1rU2