Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. 2 Corinthians 5:17 (NKJV)
There's an old sea story about a ship's Captain who inspected his sailors, and afterward told the first mate that his men smelled bad. The Captain suggested perhaps it would help if the sailors would change underwear occasionally.
The first mate responded, "Aye, aye sir, I'll see to it immediately!" The first mate went straight to the sailors berth deck and announced, "The Captain thinks you guys smell bad and wants you to change your underwear." He continued, "Pittman, you change with Jones, McCarthy, you change with Witkowski, and Brown, you change with Schultz."
THE MORAL OF THE STORY: Not all change is good.
And there is a good reason for this in this story, because the change occurring was not the proper change, or the right thing to do - even when the motive was correct.
Unfortunately, I have seen this happen often when people have decided to make a change in their personal lifestyle and look for something to help them. They realize they need to change the way they are living. Maybe they attended church when they were young, or even made a profession of faith in Jesus, only to have somehow veered off onto another path, leading them to be conformed to this world.
But they realize it is time for a change, and so they may head out and look for a church to attend, or maybe even pick up one of those pamphlets or magazines laying on their coffee table - the ones dropped off at their door by those nice folks last week. With proper motives and a determination to change, they set their minds to embracing these new ways - fully convinced they are now going in the right direction. Unfortunately, not every change we make results in what we hoped for. And we can be simply exchanging one of Satan's lies for another.
The problem is we can get so caught up in the buzzword of "Change", that we don't actually really change. We can take one false god - some activity, person, or object - and exchange it for another one. I believe there is a reason for this. In their attempt to stop following the wrong people and the wrong ways, some will naturally start following other people and their ways; and this isn't always good. We are to be sheep, but we are also to follow only One Shepherd - Jesus Christ.
Here's my point: If we are going to make a real change in our life, it has to start with God, and His Word. We need to look to it to direct us to His truths - not some additional truth contained in a packaged brochure or magazine - something innovative, or new to be added to the Bible.
Here me in this; I don't have a problem with someone writing a book to help, or to give commentary on God's Word, but it should never be given equal authority. If someone comes to you and says they have another writing on Jesus, or another book they proclaim to be God's Word, beware of this CHANGE.
As Christians, we shouldn't be trying to change our dirty works for new clean works with the hope of being saved, or earning our salvation - we should be changing our actions because we are achanged person. God told us,
I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will keep My judgments and do them. Then you shall dwell in the land that I gave to your fathers; you shall be My people, and I will be your God. Ezekiel 36:26-28 (NKJV)
Hey Christian, if we are going to truly change, then it will be by God changing our hearts. Let'schange by having a relationship with Jesus, rather than a religion from man. Let's change by doing good works because it is who we now are - New creations in Christ Jesus - Christ-like.
STUDY QUESTION: According to 2 Cor 5:17, what changes when we are in Christ, or Born Again?
PERSONAL INVENTORY: Can you see a change in your life from last year? How about from last month?
APPLICATION: If you find you are not changing, then refocus your priority. Change your habits and begin to put God first by giving Him the best of what you have, including your time. Start to take time each and every day and read God's Word; the Bible. Read it to your family as well. Now abide in what you are reading.
There's an old sea story about a ship's Captain who inspected his sailors, and afterward told the first mate that his men smelled bad. The Captain suggested perhaps it would help if the sailors would change underwear occasionally.
The first mate responded, "Aye, aye sir, I'll see to it immediately!" The first mate went straight to the sailors berth deck and announced, "The Captain thinks you guys smell bad and wants you to change your underwear." He continued, "Pittman, you change with Jones, McCarthy, you change with Witkowski, and Brown, you change with Schultz."
THE MORAL OF THE STORY: Not all change is good.
And there is a good reason for this in this story, because the change occurring was not the proper change, or the right thing to do - even when the motive was correct.
Unfortunately, I have seen this happen often when people have decided to make a change in their personal lifestyle and look for something to help them. They realize they need to change the way they are living. Maybe they attended church when they were young, or even made a profession of faith in Jesus, only to have somehow veered off onto another path, leading them to be conformed to this world.
But they realize it is time for a change, and so they may head out and look for a church to attend, or maybe even pick up one of those pamphlets or magazines laying on their coffee table - the ones dropped off at their door by those nice folks last week. With proper motives and a determination to change, they set their minds to embracing these new ways - fully convinced they are now going in the right direction. Unfortunately, not every change we make results in what we hoped for. And we can be simply exchanging one of Satan's lies for another.
The problem is we can get so caught up in the buzzword of "Change", that we don't actually really change. We can take one false god - some activity, person, or object - and exchange it for another one. I believe there is a reason for this. In their attempt to stop following the wrong people and the wrong ways, some will naturally start following other people and their ways; and this isn't always good. We are to be sheep, but we are also to follow only One Shepherd - Jesus Christ.
Here's my point: If we are going to make a real change in our life, it has to start with God, and His Word. We need to look to it to direct us to His truths - not some additional truth contained in a packaged brochure or magazine - something innovative, or new to be added to the Bible.
Here me in this; I don't have a problem with someone writing a book to help, or to give commentary on God's Word, but it should never be given equal authority. If someone comes to you and says they have another writing on Jesus, or another book they proclaim to be God's Word, beware of this CHANGE.
As Christians, we shouldn't be trying to change our dirty works for new clean works with the hope of being saved, or earning our salvation - we should be changing our actions because we are achanged person. God told us,
I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will keep My judgments and do them. Then you shall dwell in the land that I gave to your fathers; you shall be My people, and I will be your God. Ezekiel 36:26-28 (NKJV)
Hey Christian, if we are going to truly change, then it will be by God changing our hearts. Let'schange by having a relationship with Jesus, rather than a religion from man. Let's change by doing good works because it is who we now are - New creations in Christ Jesus - Christ-like.
STUDY QUESTION: According to 2 Cor 5:17, what changes when we are in Christ, or Born Again?
PERSONAL INVENTORY: Can you see a change in your life from last year? How about from last month?
APPLICATION: If you find you are not changing, then refocus your priority. Change your habits and begin to put God first by giving Him the best of what you have, including your time. Start to take time each and every day and read God's Word; the Bible. Read it to your family as well. Now abide in what you are reading.
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