“Changing Sinner’s into Saints’” 3 of 3:
What happens when an individual repents of their sins and commits their life to the Lord Jesus Christ? They become a Born-Again follower of Jesus in an instant. From that moment on they begin to learn and grow, developing into the person God wants then to be. Growing as a Christian is a daily process put forth until we pass from this world and see Jesus face to face.
David cried to God saying, “Create within me a clean heart” (Psalm 51:10). Paul said, “I die too self-daily.” This simply means he surrendered his own will, desires, and ego to align with God’s will. Again, the first change after conversion is the renewing of our mind. Because we think differently, we begin to speak differently and act differently. Our desire is to please God, not impress ourselves. Another prayer of David’s was, “Search me O God and see if there be any wicked way in me”(Psalm 139:23,24).
Inviting the Holy Spirit to examine our heart in most cases will reveal some changes that need to be made. Ephesians 4:31 says, “Get rid of all bitterness, rage, and anger, brawling and slander, along with every kind of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as Christ forgave you.”
Some of you may think “I could never become that type person.” You’re right. You can’t and never will on your own. But then you met the One who turned water into wine, calmed a raging sea, fed a multitude with 2 loaves and 5 fish, walked on water, and raised the dead! Oh, He also spoke the world into existence! He’s the master Change-maker. He can take a sinner like you and me a make us a saint (don’t look for a halo), this just means an avid follower of Christ.
As we progress on our spiritual journey, those things we got rid of mentioned above can and will be replaced with Spiritual fruit, which is love, joy, peace, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control” (Galatians 5:22-23). This won’t happen overnight, it’s a process, but if you’ll be faithful to God, He’ll be faithful to you. He’ll make you the person you never dreamed you could be! He’s the ultimate Change-maker and He changes us from the inside out!!
Pastor Carnes
