Dallas Willard writes that change or growth takes place in three steps summarized by the letters V, I, M. First, we have to embrace a Vision of the kind of change we want to happen. Then, we make an Intentional decision that we’re going to pursue that vision. Finally, we determine the Means for living out that vision.
Change or growth begins with Vision.
In his Sermon on the Mount Jesus shares his vision for three areas of life:
- Piety – our relationship with God and its internal and external expressions.
- People – our relationship to other people.
- Possessions – our use of and attitude towards money and stuff in life.
Growth and change in any of the three areas begins by firmly fixing Jesus’ vision in our minds and hearts. Here’s my summary of that vision:
Piety
- Practice a faith that is not merely external and superficial. (Matt. 5:8)
- Be willing to pay the price to do what’s right by others and by God. (Matt. 5:10)
- Do the good deeds that act as salt and light. (Matt. 5:13-16)
- Give to the poor, pray, and fast for God’s sake, not yours. (Matt. 6:1-6,16-18)
- Pray for God’s kingdom to come instead of for your will to be done. (Matt. 6:7-15)
- Trust in a God who knows how to give good gifts. (Matt. 7:7-11)
- Let your path not be the crowded one but the little-traveled one. (Matt. 7:13-14)
- Do not aspire to the claim of sensational spirituality but to the claim of simple obedience. (Matt. 7:21-23)
- Do not merely listen to God’s words but do live them out. (Matt. 7:24-27)
People
- Show favor to the poor in spirit who have no one but God in their corner, the mournful so weary of the wrong in the world, the meek and the missing out, and those who are hungering and thirsting for the world to be made right. (Matt. 5:2-6)
- Show mercy. (Matt. 5:7)
- Pursue God’s peace for all people. (Matt. 5:9)
- Do not harbor anger but seek reconciliation. (Matt. 5:21-26)
- Pay any price to think and act without lust. (Matt. 5:27-30)
- Do not divorce but be faithful. (Matt. 5:31-32)
- Do not deceive but let your ‘yes’ mean ‘yes.’ (Matt. 5:33-37)
- Do not respond to evil with violence but with love. (Matt. 5:38-48)
- Pursue the strengthening of your own weaknesses rather than pointing out the weaknesses of others. (Matt. 7:1-6)
- Do to others what you would have them do to you. (Matt. 7:12)
- Do not listen to others because of the fruit on their resumes but because of the fruit in their character. (Matt. 7:15-20)
Possessions
- Do not be miserly and serve Money but be generous and serve God. (Matt. 6:19-24)
- Do not worry butdo trust in the caring provision and kingdom purpose of God. (Matt. 6:25-34)
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