Behavior Modification Program??

Last updated on: November 29, 2012 at 6:31 pm by Susan Cottrell

Behavior Modification Program?? 2012-11-29T18:31:46-05:00 Susan Cottrell

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

Jesus is the founder and finisher of our faith. Our faith. NOT our actions! Oh, our actions naturally flow as we get to know Jesus more and more, and entrust ourselves to Him more and more. But our actions are a byproduct of our faith. Yet, how much time do we spend focused on, teaching, and striving to correct our actions? It’s like watering branches hoping for fruit. Jesus begins and ends (created, cares for, and directs) our faith! Faith is the only thing He cares about because that drives everything else. He doesn’t have us in a behavior modification program! (Thank you, friend Sherri, for that beautiful description.) If you read Jesus’ interactions, He doesn’t talk much about behavior compared to the heart. Oh yes, He talks quite a bit about behavior, but it is never from a list of to-dos, as though He expects us actually to do them. When He talks about behavior, it is always to drive us to despair at how badly we fall short of the standard. “Go and sell everything you have and then come follow Me.” “Unless your behavior surpasses that of the Pharisees, you have no part in the kingdom of heaven.” “If you lust, you have committed adultery in your heart.” “If your right eye offends you, cut it out!” These are all indictments to show us that we cannot do this thing. Why? To drive us to despair! Why? So we know the only place we can turn is to Him. Oh, God, what a turnaround from the focus of throngs of His followers, with their seven step-plan to a better prayer life… and all seven steps start with the letter “P”! Jesus did not come to give us a program—He came to give us life, abundant life. I’m overwhelmed by His generosity, intimate kindness, and love for me. Fixing our eyes on Jesus, the Author and Perfecter, gives me life.

2 looking to Jesus, the founder [originator]/author [captain, chief leader, prince] and perfecter [finisher, who brings to completion] of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:2.

The Real Jesus

X Archived Posts

abundant grace

behavior modification

Jesus the author and perfecter of our faith

legalism

legalism light

water roots instead of branches

Previous Post

November 23, 2012

Thanksgiving Reflections

Next Post

December 4, 2012 The Rainbow Connection

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category Church & Religion Dear Susan Family Support Gay Weddings & Marriage GCN Conference Jesus Blog LGBTQ Support Parenting Personal Stories Suicide The Real Jesus Theology Transgender Uncategorized X Archived Posts

Select a Month August 2026 July 2026 June 2026 May 2026 February 2026 January 2026 December 2025 November 2025 October 2025 September 2025 August 2025 July 2025 May 2025 April 2025 March 2025 January 2025 November 2024 October 2024 September 2024 August 2024 July 2024 June 2024 May 2024 April 2024 March 2024 February 2024 January 2024 November 2023 October 2023 September 2023 August 2023 July 2023 June 2023 May 2023 April 2023 March 2023 June 2022 December 2021 May 2021 February 2021 November 2020 August 2020 July 2020 June 2020 May 2020 December 2019 November 2019 October 2019 May 2019 March 2019 January 2019 November 2018 March 2018 January 2018 October 2017 September 2017 August 2017 July 2017 June 2017 May 2017 April 2017 March 2017 February 2017 January 2017 December 2016 November 2016 October 2016 September 2016 August 2016 July 2016 June 2016 May 2016 April 2016 March 2016 February 2016 January 2016 December 2015 November 2015 October 2015 September 2015 August 2015 July 2015 June 2015 May 2015 April 2015 March 2015 February 2015 January 2015 December 2014 November 2014 October 2014 September 2014 August 2014 July 2014 June 2014 May 2014 April 2014 March 2014 February 2014 January 2014 December 2013 November 2013 October 2013 September 2013 August 2013 July 2013 June 2013 May 2013 April 2013 March 2013 February 2013 January 2013 December 2012 November 2012 October 2012 September 2012 August 2012 July 2012 June 2012 May 2012 April 2012 March 2012 February 2012 January 2012

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

True or False: Joshua made the sun stand still over Gibeon to give Israel more time to defeat their enemies.

Select your answer to see how you score.

TRUE FALSE

Support this
Column