In my previous blog, I stated, genuine transformation must originate from within. Upon accepting Jesus Christ, based on the premise of Romans 10:9-10, a person undergoes a lifetime of constant change

Let’s explore this concept further.

1 Thessalonians 5:23

“And the God of peace Himself sanctify you wholly, and may your spirit and soul and body be preserved complete, without blame, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

The essence of a person, also known as their Spirit, is eternal and continues to exist even after their physical body dies. This aspect of a person is renewed by God once they start believing in Jesus. Although we cannot perceive it with our naked eyes, the spiritual realm is genuine. Similarly, we cannot observe air, but we acknowledge its existence as we inhale it every day; the same applies to our Spirit.

As humans, we possess a soul made up of three components – the mind, will, and emotions. Our decisions in life are primarily influenced by our will. The knowledge and information we gain and believe in also play a crucial role in shaping our choices. The Bible emphasizes the importance of renewing our minds through the Word of God in Romans 12:2.

Lastly, let’s talk about the body. It’s what allows us to function and have authority in this world. Through it, we can touch, taste, smell, see, and hear. As Christians, we can look forward to the promise of a new body, as mentioned in Philippians 3:21.

There is much more to explain, but we can discuss these topics at a later time. As I have previously stated, change begins within oneself and radiates outward. The crucial question to ask is: who is responsible for initiating this change? It is God who brings forth spiritual rebirth, It is God who transforms the mind through His word, and again it is God who creates a new body. So what role do we play in this transformation?

Religion will teach us that we must do something to bring about change, but I would like to suggest it’s more about believing in the finished works of Jesus.

When one puts their trust in the finished works of Christ, it cultivates a dependence on Him. Personally, I prefer to rely on the Holy Spirit’s guidance rather than my own strength to bring about change. I have failed many times in striving to live a holy, devoted Christian life before God. However, as I shift my dependence on the Holy Spirit’s work, I notice constant transformation within myself. The Holy Spirit works on my attitude, alters my desires, and transforms the way I live and respond to life.

Consider the following Scriptures

Ephesians 4:23-24

let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes. Put on your new nature, created to be like God—truly righteous and holy.

Philippians 1:6

And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.

Philippians 2:13

For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him.

2 Corinthians 3:18b

And the Lord—who is the Spirit—makes us more and more like him as we are changed into his glorious image.

Clearly, we can see that it is God who has taken on the responsibility to bring about change. I like that the verse in Philippians 2:13 beautifully expresses God’s role in our lives, as He empowers us to do what pleases Him. I have shared this insight previously, but it’s worth emphasizing that as we submit to the Holy Spirit’s guidance, our desires are transformed. We no longer want to indulge in activities that we once did, but instead, we strive to please God in all that we do.

You might wonder why this is such an important topic. Well, many Christians attempt to live a life that emulates God through their own efforts and abilities. Unfortunately, this often leads to failure, or even worse, self-righteousness. This self-righteous attitude results in a greater reliance on oneself rather than on God working in you.

I recently heard this statement, “Do you get cleaned up to take a shower? No, you take a shower to get cleaned up“. The same can be spoken of as coming to Christ. He does the cleaning as you come to him. Instead of giving a new convert the 12 steps on how to be a disciple, why not trust and depend on the Holy Spirit. who is more qualified, to change a person from the inside out.

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