A Changed Life

II Corinthians 5:17 - Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
When we are saved, we are a new creation in Him. It baffles me to think about this fact. It's so simple, yet so huge. We are new. Changed. And because of this, we should be living our lives FOR Christ, not for ourselves. Our lives should reflect the fact that we are new creations in Christ.
After we are saved, however, we are still in a constant battle with the flesh. We will still fall to temptation, because we are human, but we should always strive for perfection. Although we cannot lose our salvation, we CAN lose our walk with God through sin.


Salvation brings us so much. God tells us things about what we should expect after we accept him.

No condemnation. John 5:24 - Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.
We will fail God at times by giving into temptation, but He will always forgive us and restore us into His service if we ask.

We are saved by grace. Ephesians 2:8-9 - For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.

We are saved to serve. Ephesians 2:10 - For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.


What being a Christian and an active member of a church family should mean:
1) Being clean in conversation. I John 1:7 - But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.
As Christians, our bodies, including our mouths, belong to God. We are constantly setting an example for our Lord. What do your words say about your Savior?
2) Being clean in conduct. Romans 12:17 - Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not.
This is something that I, personally, struggle with and I'm sure there are a lot of Christians who struggle with this too. It's hard to not get mad at people. We're only human, right? But getting mad at others only causes us pain. Jesus, our perfect role model, asked forgiveness for the very people who were crucifying Him. When we think about that fact, what gives us the right to be mad and curse those around us?
Ephesians 4:32 - And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.
Galatians 6:1 - Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.
3) We should be cooperating
A. with our presence. Hebrews 10:25 - Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much more, as ye see the day approaching.
B. with our prayers. I Samuel 12:23 - Moreover as for me, God forbid that I should sin against the Lord in ceasing to pray for you: but I will teach you the good and the right way
C. with personal efforts. I Corinthians 3:9 - For we are labourers together with God: ye are God's husbandry, ye are God's building.


Things that Christians Need to Conquer:
1) Evil Habits
How can we get closer in our walk with God if we are constantly giving in to a certain temptation or bad habit?
2) Hasty Tempers
God instructs us to to be kind and tenderhearted towards everyone. How can we walk closer with God if we are constantly blowing up at people and getting mad at them? Hate only breeds hate, and God loves us all just as He wants to love one another.
3) An Unforgiving Spirit
This just goes back to what I said earlier about how Jesus asked for forgiveness for the men who were crucifying Him. If Jesus can forgive the men who put Him to death, what gives us the right to hold something against someone?
4) Selfishness
We are God's servants. We each have a purpose on this earth and if we are selfish God can't use us to help other people. We are His fishers of men. If we always think about ourselves first, we will always fail to see others who are in need of His love, His guidance, and His grace.




That's all for tonight. It's a lot to think about.
If you have any comments or questions feel free to leave a comment. This is a growing experience for me too and I know that there are things I need to work on. Any knowledge that you would like to share is more than welcome.

God Bless,
Taylor