“Most people don’t change; they just become more the way they already are. I must have said these words hundreds of times in my life – to clients, family and friends. While there are exceptions, most people find change difficult for several reasons.” So says the owner of one of the leading online mental health resources on the internet.
Here’s the reality…if you are a Christian, don’t believe one word of this. Possibly he is right – most people don’t change; however, for the Christian, change is absolutely possible! To put it as simple as possible: in God’s economy, people change!Possibly he is right - most people don't change; however, for the Christian, change is absolutely possible! Click To Tweet
God begins to change you at salvation. Fundamentally.
At salvation God fundamentally changes the heart of the Christ-follower. Paul summarizes this change when he writes, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new” (2 Cor 5:17). He refers to the heart. The sinful disposition that once ruled the heart of the unrighteous person before salvation changes to a new righteous disposition that is ruled by a desire to follow God and honor Him (Eph 4:17-24; Rom 8:1-17; 1 Cor 2:14-16; Gal 5:16-26).
Therefore, change begins in the moment of salvation. Paul describes you as a new creation, created in Christ unto good works (Eph 2:10). You are a new creation. What you once was, you are no longer. This truth has incredible implications.Therefore, change begins in the moment of salvation. Click To Tweet
How can you not be different? Why are you living the same?
As Paul develops his argument in 1 Corinthians, he acts surprised that the Corinthians Christians are suing each other over civil matters in court. His frustration stems from the fact that although they have fundamentally been changed (regenerated in Jesus Christ), they choose to act like those who are not (the unrighteous). As part of his challenge to these Corinthian Christians, he provides us key insight as to what happens when we get saved.
“Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God” (1 Cor 6:9-10).
Each of these ten terms are vocational terms. In other words, these people do not have a relationship with Christ and are known by their sins (thieves similar to carpenters, police officers, or accountants). They are known by their sin because at the heart, they are unrighteous people who will not go to heaven.
But that is totally not the case for the believer in Jesus Christ. Look at what Paul said next.
“And such were some of you. But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God” (1 Cor 6:11, emphasis mine). Notice both the contrasting statements using the adversative but and the fact that it is all in past tense.
Essentially Paul is making the point that everything is different. This is why he can’t believe that these believers in Christ are suing each other. With the Spirit of God working in them and the fact that they have been fundamentally changed (washed…sanctified…justified), how is it possible that they are still acting like unbelievers? With the Spirit of God working in them and the fact that they have been fundamentally changed (washed...sanctified...justified), how is it possible that they are still acting like unbelievers? Click To Tweet
In God’s economy, people change!
Unlike the world system and the psychotherapist mentioned earlier, in God’s economy, people change! God’s agenda is a “From” – “To” agenda. He takes you from wherever you are to where He wants you to be (Tit 2:11-14). Earlier in 1 Corinthians, Paul describes God’s faithfulness to change each of us. “God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord” (1 Cor 1:4-9). Unlike the world system, in God's economy, people change! There is hope. Click To Tweet
Thankfully, God redeems you and changes your inner man. You are no longer known by your sin but by your union with Christ. The fact that God is going something in you through His Word and His Spirit in the midst of your circumstances encourages us to strive hard to honor Him in everything we do.
Additionally, it means we have hope for every person in Christ. There is not one person alive in Christ who does not have the potential – even the guarantee – to change. No matter how many times the person has sinned, has disappointed, has struggled, has whatever, there is still hope for change. Why? Because God is faithful and that is His plan.There is not one person alive in Christ who does not have the potential - even the guarantee - to change. Click To Tweet
Does it mean that the person will be sinless? Absolutely not. We will only get rid of the presence of sin once we are in heaven. However, it does mean that they have hope. God is working. God’s grace is powerful and enables them to grow and change.
We each have a responsibility for our own growth.
God does change us. Change is God’s business. Yet, we each have a responsibility for our own growth as well. We first learn what the Bible teaches about the possibility of change through the Gospel of Jesus Christ and then carefully apply that to our daily circumstances. We eagerly work toward a godly lifestyle with the power that Christ. We embrace the truth of the Scriptures regarding the possibility of change while depending upon God’s wisdom to help us get there.
KevinCarson.com | Walking together through life as friends in Christ sharing wisdom along the journey
