New People

What does living as a believer look like?  It is not just putting on a new suit and looking better, or getting a haircut or a shave or new and improved makeup. They may all improve the outside appearance of a person and even make them feel better to a certain degree, but they will be the same person on the inside.

To be a new person takes a change on the inside, not on the outside.  A person can have plastic surgery on his face and it may change his whole appearance but that person will be the same on the inside.  There are people that are actors who mimic the person they are portraying, and do very well at it, even sounding like the person, but on the inside they are the same.

There is only one way that I know of that will make a person new from the inside out and that takes being born-again through a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, God’s only beloved Son.  The Bible makes that very clear in 2 Corinthians 5:17 saying this, “This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!”

This can only happen when the Holy Spirit resides in a person and gives them new life.  The Word affirms this in 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 saying this, “Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s.”

Because of the transformation that goes on inside a true believer, people will suspect that you are a believer without being told at times.  Will all the changes be immediate?  No, some changes will take place over time and some may be instant.  Sometimes it seems to depend on how long you were in the world, conforming to its practices, before you became a believer and how much baggage you had at the time.  But be assured when Jesus sets someone free, they will be free indeed.  Check out John 8:36 which is talking about being enslaved to sin, “Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed.”  Jesus also said this to the Jews that believed in Him in the same chapter in verses 31-32, “Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, ‘If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.’”

Before a person becomes a true believer they are enslaved to sin, but praise the Lord He sets them free.  Then we need to live as children of light as it says in Ephesians 5:1-20:

“Imitate God, therefore, in everything you do, because you are his dear children. Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ. He loved us and offered himself as a sacrifice for us, a pleasing aroma to God.

Let there be no sexual immorality, impurity, or greed among you. Such sins have no place among God’s people. Obscene stories, foolish talk, and coarse jokes—these are not for you. Instead, let there be thankfulness to God. You can be sure that no immoral, impure, or greedy person will inherit the Kingdom of Christ and of God. For a greedy person is an idolater, worshiping the things of this world.

Don’t be fooled by those who try to excuse these sins, for the anger of God will fall on all who disobey him. Don’t participate in the things these people do. For once you were full of darkness, but now you have light from the Lord. So live as people of light! For this light within you produces only what is good and right and true.

Carefully determine what pleases the Lord. Take no part in the worthless deeds of evil and darkness; instead, expose them. It is shameful even to talk about the things that ungodly people do in secret. But their evil intentions will be exposed when the light shines on them, for the light makes everything visible. This is why it is said,

“Awake, O sleeper,

    rise up from the dead,

    and Christ will give you light.”

So be careful how you live. Don’t live like fools, but like those who are wise. Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days. Don’t act thoughtlessly, but understand what the Lord wants you to do. Don’t be drunk with wine, because that will ruin your life. Instead, be filled with the Holy Spirit, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs among yourselves, and making music to the Lord in your hearts. And give thanks for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

We should imitate the Lord by loving our neighbor and resisting sin by walking in the Spirit and allowing the fruits of the Spirit to be seen in our lives.  Something I have a struggle with.  We need to be thanking God for all things because He works all things for the good for those He has called according to His purpose.  Something to think about, God bless and may you have a super day!!