fattie to fittie =
April 27, 2009
what is it that I love about fat fighters AKA Biggest Loser?
one word: Transformation.
who said people don’t like change?
last night alone 1.5 million people watched and marveled at the progressive morphing of a couple of “fatties” into “fitties.”
it moves , inspires and amazes millions at just what can be done with some good ‘ol exercise and diet.
it reduces their biological age, reshapes their body image, redresses advancing morbidity, revamps their self worth – yet for all the wonderful change – it cannot redeem them from their deepest bondage nor renew them in their truest image.
I keep wondering what we can do as a gospel community to get our people delighted and awestruck at God’s transforming power, and get those around us to seen how good and glorious God is. I think at least part of the answer must be seeing transformation.
we must show people what it is like when by his Grace the gospel impacts our lives personally and together.
maybe then our millions of viewers might stop switching over to something else and start switching onto the reality of Jesus?
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1. Al Bain | April 27, 2009 at 2:36 pm
Very helpful Shane. I read in a book somewhere that we should be “living proof of a loving God.”
Maybe the world is like the unattractive “before” photo of the untransformed, unattractive “fattie” and the church is like the “after” photo of the transformed and being transformed, attractive “fittie.”
Or maybe I’ve taken the analogy too far.
2. Shane | April 27, 2009 at 2:41 pm
not at all,
I think the gospel community is a sign and foretaste of the new creation
the world looks at us and says – ah ! that is what it looks like when God works in this world !
3. Mikey Lynch | April 27, 2009 at 3:00 pm
Great post, bro. Thanks.
4. geoffc | April 29, 2009 at 8:02 am
Evangelistically, I think we need to preach God’s transforming power in our lives more too, instead of preaching the gospel as though it’s only value was getting us into heaven.
5. Shane | April 29, 2009 at 9:23 pm
with you Geoff, get to heaven gospel is vital but truncated don’t you think?
6. geoffc | April 29, 2009 at 9:37 pm
let me just check what ‘truncated’ means…
yes, truncated indeed. The New TEstament definately doesn’t give us a “just get em’ over the line” view. Much much more in this life, and I’m guilty of not preaching as though I believed it.
7. Andrew Katay | April 30, 2009 at 11:00 am
two thoughts
the truth is that it is easier to lose weight than be transformed into the image of Christ.
and preaching transformation is theologically complex – for some, suspect – because for those with ears not to hear, it will sound like merit
8. Michael Jensen | April 30, 2009 at 4:08 pm
But losing weight is really really hard!
And yes: legalism is always just around the corner, that’s the problem.
9. Shane | April 30, 2009 at 4:34 pm
so is losing sin and shedding idols!
I am sure you agree” it is God who works in us to will and to work according to his good pleasure”
agreed preaching transformation is theologically complex but no more complex than penal substitutionary atonement. just becaaue they are complex doesn’t mean we don’t preach it – do we now?!
dare I say preaching is not the issue – it is power.
I like the expression – trophies of grace. I guess I am thinking we need ot not only seek this transforming grace (ephesians 2:1-10) but also celebrate that power in the way we say – wow look at what God is doing- isn’t he awesome! that guy Jensen is a trophy of grace. what a powerful work of God!
or like Baxter said ” I am just a pen in the Lord’s hand – and who praises a pen?”