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Here’s a new thought, also from Divine Conspiracy by Dallas Willard that I referred to yesterday:

From the stage of early discipleship, where “the spirit is willing but the flesh is weak,” we increasingly pass to the stages where the flesh–think of that as what we more or less automatically feel, think, and do–is with the spirit and supportive of its deepest intentions. This is absolutely essential in training that will bring us to do from the heart the things that Jesus knew to be best. (Divine Conspiracy, 1998, first edition, page 354)

It goes against the commonly held idea that as humans we are hopelessly and permanently so imperfect that Jesus had to die for our sins. While it is true that we can’t reach God’s standard of perfect sinlessness, Dallas is arguing that we can train, as he says, “to do from the heart the things that Jesus knew to be best.”

Paul did say, “Train yourself for godliness.” (1 Timothy 4.7) Jesus taught that growth takes time, but that, indeed, growth does occur over time:

And he said, “The kingdom of God is as if a man should scatter seed on the ground. He sleeps and rises night and day, and the seed sprouts and grows; he knows not how. The earth produces by itself, first the blade, then the ear, then the full grain in the ear. (Mark 4.26 – 28, ESV)

I once heard an adult Sunday school class member cut off the teacher who was trying to encourage us to be godly, to grow in Christian character. The interrupter said, “We can’t be perfect so why try?” With that remark he attempts to justify his mediocrity.

Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Let those of us who are mature think this way, and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal that also to you. Only let us hold true to what we have attained. Brothers, join in imitating me, and keep your eyes on those who walk according to the example you have in us. (Philippians 3.12 – 17, ESV)