Is Change Taking Place?

Your Christian life began the moment you believed on Jesus Christ. The New Birth is just the beginning of a lifelong relationship with Jesus Christ. We should be becoming more like Christ. We are to continually put on the attitudes and actions of Christ. The definition of a Christian is to be Christlike.

Positive changes should be taking place in our life as we become more Christlike.

A.     2 Peter 1:5-7 And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity.

B.     Ephesians 4:22-24 That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.

Some people desire others to change and blame their lack of change on others. They believe that they would be a better Christian if others would change. However, we need to be responsible and take ownership of our own spiritual life. We must take a proactive approach and actively pursue godliness. We must not be passive.

A.     Romans 13:12-14 The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light. Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying. But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.

B.     Romans 12:1-2 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

The Word of God shows us the characteristics we are to have as a believer. As we put on the new spiritual attitudes, we will be putting off the old sinful attitudes. We will see growth. If we don’t take an active role in our spiritual growth, nothing will happen. In the following verses we see the mindset of the believer as Jesus taught:

A.     Matthew 5:3-12 Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted. Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth. Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled. Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God. Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God. Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.

Ron Cox - Director of H.O.P.E. Ministry