Life Change

I think if we were to be honest, all of us would say there are things in our lives that we would like to change. Some are good changes, and are needed, and we have a choice in the matter. Some are circumstantial situations we might like to see change, even if God has us right where we are, on purpose, however uncomfortable that might be for us. Learning the difference, and living contently, can be one of the great challenges of our Christian lives.

I wonder, if you could change anything about yourself, where would you start? Lots of us would start on the outside. We might wish we could make ourselves taller, thinner or better looking. Some may want a light touch-up here or there, while others would prefer an extreme makeover. 

But what about on the inside? What about your disposition, your character, your perspective would you like to change? Do you have a temper that you'd like to get rid of? Are you inclined to worry or get stressed out? Are you proud or arrogant, ungrateful or prejudiced, discontent or critical? And do you have a choice in fixing those things, or were you just born that way?

Here's the reality for us, especially as Christ-followers: Jesus wants to change our lives. Yes, He loves us unconditionally, just the way we are, but He also loves us too much to leave us this way. His plans for us are so much better than the daily frustrations and disappointments of what we wish we could be. So He desires to work in us daily, to incrementally grow us and mature us--and yes, to change us--and make us more like Him.

It can be hard for us to understand sometimes what part of that equation of life-change is up to us, and what part is the work of the Holy Spirit who lives within us. Some people believe it is entirely their own responsibility to change themselves. And so they fight their flesh daily to try to make themselves different. Yes, we do have choices, and we are called to Christian obedience in matters of morality, and self-control, and even our thought life--but it's not all about our effort alone..

The encouraging thing for me is that the Bible tells us that God is the only one who can really change us, from the inside out. We believe the gospel, and when we do, Scripture says we are born anew, we become new creations, and our spirits and souls are regenerated. That begins a whole new process of spiritual transformation, through sanctification, where God does the work in us. Our role is to surrender ourselves to Him daily, and allow Him to work in us. That's where life change really happens..

And that's going to be the topic of our Sunday messages over the next few months, as we dig into some very practical teaching from the apostle Paul, from his epistle to the Romans, chapters 12-16. I am so excited about this series, and I believe the Lord is going to use it powerfully to change us as a church. I hope you can be with us each week to hear what the Lord has to say about transforming our lives. 

I count it such a privilege to be your pastor, and I look forward to seeing you on Sunday.  

--Pastor Ken