“The revolution of Jesus is in the first place and continuously a revolution of the human heart or spirit.”

A thought by Dallas Willard (2014-02-01) from his book, Renovation of the Heart: Putting On the Character of Christ (p. 15). NavPress. Kindle Edition. (Click on the title to go to Amazon.com to buy the book.)

Jesus’ disciples of his time here on earth had trouble in understanding this. They keep looking for him to lead a revolution that would defeat their physical enemies but that wasn’t his purpose then and it isn’t now. But it is understandable that we too have problems with what type of revolution he wants to lead even today.

As Dallas says, “It did not and does not proceed by means of the formation of social institutions and laws, the outer forms of our existence, intending that these would then impose a good order of life upon people who come under their power. Rather, his is a revolution of character, which proceeds by changing people from the inside through ongoing personal relationship to God in Christ and to one another. It is one that changes their ideas, beliefs, feelings, and habits of choice, as well as their bodily tendencies and social relations. It penetrates to the deepest layers of their soul. External, social arrangements may be useful to this end, but they are not the end, nor are they a fundamental part of the means.”

As Dallas says, “His is a revolution of character.” And when that happens it will change everything else. Let’s desire and live for what he wants and let’s allow him to change us from the inside out. Let’s let him start his revolution in us today.

Will you let him?

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