I know that we have all heard about change. This is a little different than you may have heard. I'm not talking about political change. I'm not speaking of changing your stomach flab to rock hard abs. And by the way, I'm not writing about changing from terrible to mediocre.
Christians are Christians through faith. Contrary to common belief, faith is not only belief but it is belief in action. Faith in Christ doesn't only make a claim, but it makes a change. When or how? Do you really care? Many people profess to love Christ and know the call that comes with him but don't follow through.(But Jesus told him, "Anyone who puts a hand to the plow and then looks back is not fit for the Kingdom of God."-Luke 9:62) Will you?
When Jesus saves your heart, he changes your heart. When he changes your heart, he changes your life. Have you been transformed?
Saves Your Heart.
It all starts with being saved through Christ Jesus. He is the only way to be saved. Christ died on a cross for you, and the rest of humanity. After he died, he came back to life. Some choose to believe this and live like it happened. Both are key components of saving faith. Do you have both? See, we must have faith in Jesus(God's Son). The first step in being changed by Christ, is being saved by Christ.
Changes Your Heart.
If you have been saved by Christ, he changes your heart.
"This is the new covenant I will make with my people on that day,* says the LORD:I will put my laws in their hearts, and I will write them on their minds."- Hebrews 10:16
We usually complain that living for Christ is difficult. It is often so difficult because we are trying to do so on our own. The probable reason for this is that you have not been saved. People without Christ have no power over sin, therefore are defeated by this world. But as a believer, God changes our heart. As he does this he re-writes our morals, our thoughts, and our desires. You begin to hate what you used to lust. Christ gives you love for the people that you used to hate. God is unchanging but changes those who follow him so that may bring glory and honor to him. Are you desiring the same things? Do you love sin as you once did, or are you now desiring things of the LORD? Inspect youself, see where your heart is and see who is controlling it.
Changes Your Life.
When Jesus changes your heart, he changes your life. This one takes alot of common sense. As you begin to have a desire for things of God, you have to begin choosing those things over sin. Sorry for the weak comparison, but it is like a diet. You look in the mirror and don't like what you see. The sight gives you a desire to look differently. You have the desire to lose weight. This desire brings on a choice. What you usually do is sit on the couch, comfortably, and watch TV or read. You know that you need to exercise. Do you sit or get up and take a jog around the block? You love brownies! All of a sudden you get the craving for something belly-filling. Do you take the chocolate or grab an apple?
Desires bring on choices. Paul spoke of these battles within one's heart. Your life should be reflecting and imitating the one who saved you. Is it? A disciple desires to be like his master. You have to decide if you desire this world or God. If you are a true believer, the choice has been made.
Transformed?
Have you been transformed? Has Christ changed you? Has a "switch-a-roo" taken place in your heart and life?
- No? The probability is that you have not expirienced the saving grace of Jesus. With faith comes evidence. Maybe your a young believer. The change is coming. Don't fear, the times may be tough but with a change of heart, your life will be changed easier than anticipated. Maybe you've found yourself in a whole. God didn't put you there, but he will sure help you out. Go back to the Gospel. Change starts and finishes there.
- Yes? Keep it up. Don't get comfortable. Believe Jesus. Love Jesus. Live Jesus.
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