To walk with God you must have a willingness to change. This change is not optional, but it is required if we are to express the image of God. If you think that you are already perfect, you are sadly mistaken. The Apostle Paul said it this way: “Not as though I had already attained,(living out perfectly the life which comes from being raised from the dead), either we are already perfect: But I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which I am apprehended of Christ Jesus”(Phil. 3:12). We Christians are born again, not by corruptible seed, but by the incorruptible Word of God (1 John 3:9). But it takes continuous transformational change for the inward reality to be expressed in our outward life. In other words, we should always be changing from a state of who we are, to what God wants us to be. Jesus is the consummation of perfection. “But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord “(2 Cor. 3:18). As you give yourself to the glorious aspect found in the Word of God, the Holy Spirit will change you into what you see and treasure (that which looks like Jesus).
We are not sinners. That was our old nature. We have a mandate from God to be holy, for God is holy (1 Pet. 1:16). Also, we are to be perfect, as our heavenly Father is perfect (Matt. 5:48). As we look at these sentences in reverse, we see that the source of our holiness and perfection is the Lord. In fellowship, we have to allow Him to change us into that Image. That means that we have to let go of anything in our lives that does not reflect the image of Christ. This is not done all at once. It is a process. It is called spiritual growth. The first step is to accept Jesus as your Lord and Saviour, and to receive His Spirit. Then you have to obey the voice of the Lord as Hes speaks to you from His Word, and directly to your heart. God will begin to renew your mind (Rom. 12:1,2), and wash away all that displeases Him (Eph. 5:26). This process will cause you to humble yourself. It will also cause you to embrace repentance. Again, that is when God shows you that the thing that you are holding on to is not His will. It takes repentance to change your mind, and accept God’s way. Instead of condemnation, repentance reveals the love nature of God. God is faithful to forgive us of our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:9).
When we change, we bring glory to God. The One who made the vessel will receive the honor. As people see you, they will see Jesus. That’s what it is all about: that whether by word or deed, others would see Jesus in our lives.
Great word. We appreciate you so much. You have no idea.