God Must Reveal

The central idea in this graphic is that real, lasting change—whether salvation or sanctification—requires God to reveal Himself to us. Without divine intervention, we remain spiritually dead, futile in our thinking, and unable to transform. The passage from Ephesians 2:1-5 makes this unmistakably clear:

1. We were dead in our sins—not merely weak or struggling, but spiritually lifeless. Dead people do not revive themselves; they require an external power to bring them to life.
2. We followed the course of this world and the prince of the power of the air—meaning our natural trajectory was one of disobedience and enslavement to sin.
3. We lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out sinful desires—showing that sin was not just an external influence but something we actively pursued.
4. We were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind—meaning that this condition is universal. No one is exempt from this deadness apart from God’s intervention.

Understanding Change: Salvation and Sanctification

This truth applies both to initial salvation and ongoing sanctification:

1. Salvation (Justification): A person cannot come to Christ unless God grants them life. Evangelism, then, is not about convincing or pressuring someone into belief but about presenting the truth and trusting God to quicken their heart.
2. Sanctification (Progressive Transformation): Even after salvation, believers cannot grow without God’s revelation. When a believer struggles with sin, discouragement, or wrong thinking, they need God to bring conviction and clarity. For example, a person holding onto sin might not sense God’s conviction and, through the dulling of the conscience, will not perceive the clarity needed to heed and apply God’s Word practically to their unique situation.

The imagery of darkness and light is crucial. Before God acts, we are in darkness—whether it be the complete darkness of spiritual death or the dimness of a believer who has grieved or quenched the Spirit. When God reveals Himself, the light comes on:

1. In salvation, this means being brought from death to life.
2. In sanctification, this means being convicted of sin, repenting, and realigning with God’s truth.

This worldview is why disciple-makers, counselors, and parents must grasp this principle. No one can manufacture transformation in another person. The role of a counselor is to plant and water, but only God gives the growth (1 Corinthians 3:6). This brings great freedom—success in discipleship is not measured by immediate results but by faithfulness in pointing others to Christ.

Case Study: Mable and Marge

The Situation: Mable has been counseling Marge for several months, but Marge is not changing. She still struggles with the same sins, displays the same attitudes, and seems resistant to transformation. Mable, dedicated to helping her, begins to evaluate her own ability as a counselor based on how much Marge is changing.

As a result:

• Mable starts doubting herself, wondering if she is saying the right things.
• She begins grumbling about Marge, frustrated at her lack of progress.
• She feels burdened by the responsibility of Marge’s transformation, as if it depends on her.

What Is Wrong with Mable?

Mable has made Marge’s transformation the measurement of her success, which is a fundamental misunderstanding of her role. Mable’s job is to faithfully speak the truth, pray for Marge, and trust God to do the work. Mable is assuming a burden that belongs to God alone. She measures success by visible results rather than faithfulness in pointing Marge to Christ. This is a performance-based mindset rather than a faith-based trust in God’s timing and work.

Additionally, her frustration with Marge indicates that Mable may have subtly shifted from loving Marge biblically to wanting results for her own sense of accomplishment. When disciple-makers base their confidence on how well people change, they are no longer operating in grace-based ministry but in results-driven performance.

What Should Mable Do?

1. Recognize That Transformation Is God’s Work
   1. Mable must realign her thinking. Her role is to plant and water, but only God gives the growth (1 Corinthians 3:6).
   2. She should ask herself: Am I trusting in my ability, or am I trusting in the Spirit of God to bring conviction?
2. Stop Grumbling and Start Praying
   1. Instead of being frustrated with Marge, Mable should pray that God would reveal Himself to her.
   2. Complaining about someone’s lack of change often reveals that we are relying too much on our own wisdom.
3. Examine Her Own Heart
   1. Why is Mable so discouraged? Is her identity tied to her counseling effectiveness?
   2. She should confess any self-reliance and trust God’s sovereignty over Marge’s growth.
4. Encourage Marge but Leave the Outcome to God
   1. Marge may not be visibly changing yet, but that does not mean God is not working. Some seeds take longer to sprout.
   2. Mable should focus on faithfully teaching, modeling Christ, and trusting God.

Conclusion

This case study illustrates the essential principle of the graphic and Ephesians 2:1-5—God must reveal Himself for change to happen. Disciple makers must guard against self-reliance, remembering that their responsibility is faithfulness, not results. By releasing the burden of transformation to God, they can counsel, disciple, and love others without frustration, discouragement, or pride.

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Peace,
Rick