A Better Dog

A Better Dog

Originally Written by Glen Elliott (2/17/2022)

We have been blessed by our Creator with the ability to practice self-examination. This is a gift known only to man. No other creature practices it. Even the family dog does not reflect on his ability to be a “better” dog. He operates by instincts, often associated with positive or negative reinforcement. By all means, enjoy your cartoons and animated movies. Just keep in mind that, in real life, dogs and other critters neither walk around in an upright position nor carry on meaningful conversation. They can be trained to do amazing things but they do not possess the gift of self-reflection.

However, those created in the image of God, have been blessed with such ability. But, for many, the gift is so seldom practiced as to have become a lost art. Even the mention of it is foreign to the way our world thinks. It is like asking people to go back to a time which no longer exists. We are becoming a society comprised of unreasoning creatures who operate by instinct and immediate self-gratification. But, without spiritual self-examination, our sights will rise no higher than the world around us (Col. 3:1ff).

Self-examination is a challenge even for those who have been spiritually regenerated. This is because, in trying to be a “better” person, we are frequently deceived into comparing ourselves to a distorted image. While the apostle Paul encourages self-examination (2 Cor. 13:5), he also warns us about the danger of comparing ourselves to ourselves (2 Cor. 10:12). It is to Christ’s image that we seek duplication (Rom. 8:29; 2 Cor. 3:18). The good news is that we have ready access to the source of such transformation. God’s word casts an accurate reflection of who we are and what kind of changes need to made in the direction of His image. Spiritual transformation begins with humble acknowledgement that we are not our own; nor are we capable of making needed changes without God’s guidance (Jas. 1:23-25; 1 Cor. 6:19-20;  Ps.139:23-24). Each day can be a new adventure if we work together with God to bring about a “better”, more Christ-like version, of who He wants us to be (Ph. 2:13).

May God bless each to this end..