Like a Skin

This weekend we have been at a Tim Keller conference: Cruciformity, Shaped by the Cross. I was so challenged and encouraged. Lately, I seem to have a disconnect between what I believe and want to be and how I actually work out my salvation. Quite honestly, I have been very discouraged by lack of fruit. I do believe that my assurance of salvation is in fruit. Obviously, God does the calling and the saving of me, a sinner deserving nothing but eternal punishment. Yes, Jesus Christ did the saving when He died in my place on the cross. But, as a Christian, my actions should follow my conversion. Dr. Keller was refreshing in his cross-centered perspective of conversion and change. I was convicted that many times I am not reminding myself that I am free (Romans 6) but am living as if I am still in bondage to sin. The cross changes us, especially as the Holy Spirit reveals to us the wonders of the cross and of God's perfect and steadfast love.

This is a song by Sara Groves. I've been listening to it for the last couple days on my ipod so I thought I would share:

The butterfly can just look back
Flap those wings and say Oh, yeah
I never have to be a worm again
The snake gets tired of being him
He wriggles from that itchy skin
Leaves it lying where he’s been and moves on

I’ve been longing for something tangible
Some kind of proof that there’s been change in me

Feels like I have been waking up
Only to fight with the same old stuff
Change is slow and it fills me with such doubt
Come on New Man where have you been
Help me wriggle from this Self I’m in
And leave it like a skin