I thought this would be good food for thought. It’s from a book I’m reading right now by David Powlison titled “Seeing With New Eyes”. It’s a great book and I would highly recommend it to anyone…Powlison writes:

Those you counsel must know that God is gracious. They must receive and depend on real grace. No one can truly change who does not know and rely on gifts from the hand of the Lord. Since Christ is both Giver and Gift, attempts to change without grace are barren of the very purpose, power, and Person that change is about. Self manufactured changes do not dislodge almighty me from the center of my tiny self-manufactured universe. Still, in the futility of my mind and the hardness of my heart, I only act a bit different. Successful living without grace describes more self-reformation: get your act together, save your marriage, get off your duff and get a job. Failure in living describes failed self efforts: when you can’t get a grip, you despair. Christless, grace-less attempts at change conclude either with the praise of your own glory or with your shame.

Or a different way to say it: The Gospel truly transforms. Religion either produces self-righteousness (legalism) or depression. When you go to church this weekend, truly ask yourself what it is that you are seeking and why are you going? Is it because you are placing your hope in your religion (simply going to church) or are you truly placing your hope in Jesus.

The answer makes a huge difference. We all want to change - but only in Christ - does true, real, deep, and abiding change actually take place.