You Can Change Biblically (Part 2)

Introduction

The process of Biblical change, explained in God’s Word, begins when you repent of your sin and believe in the Lord Jesus Christ. God has given you everything you need to make the changes in your life that will please Him and will lead to His blessings. As you continue to obey God’s Word, Biblical change toward maturity will occur in your life until you see Jesus face to face (based on John 1:12; Acts 26:20; Romans 8:28-39; 2 Corinthians 5:17; Philippians 1:6, 3:12-14; Colossians 2:13-14; James 1:25; 2 Peter 1:2-10).

The Process of LASTING Biblical Change BEGINS When You Are CONVERTED to the Lord Jesus Christ

God’s Perspective & Your Assurance

After you sincerely and wholeheartedly believe in the Lord Jesus as your Savior, you can change Biblically because you have a DIFFERENT RELATIONSHIP with God and can have a different view of yourself, others, and your problems.

You have been declared RIGHTEOUS through Jesus Christ on the basis of faith (Romans 3:21-22 ; 1 Corinthians 1:30; 2 Corinthians 5:21; Philippians 3:9) and are NO LONGER under judgment of God’s wrath (John 3:36; Romans 5:9, 8:1).

You are at PEACE with God because you have been reconciled to Him through Jesus and stand totally JUSTIFIED before God Almighty (Romans 3:24-26; 5:1, 11; 2 Corinthians 5:18).

You are no longer SEPARATED from God or a STRANGER to God’s family (Ephesians 2:12-13, 19-20). You have been ADOPTED into His family (Romans 8:14-16; Ephesians 1:4-5), a JOINT-HEIR with Christ (Romans 8:16-17; Galatians 4:7), and as a RECIPIENT of His loving care forever (Psalm 121; John 10:28; Romans 8:31-39; 1 Peter 5:7).

You have been GIVEN the gift of eternal life (John 10:28) and have the CERTAINTY that God’s work in you will continue until you are in His presence (Philippians 1:6; Jude 1:24).

Because of what God has done for you through Jesus, you may have CONFIDENCE that He will help you in any and all situations of life (Romans 8:32; Hebrews 2:18, 4:15-16).

As a child of God, you are NEW CREATION (2 Corinthians 5:17). You no longer need to be ENSLAVED to sin (Romans 6:6, 14, 17-18, 22), but you are to be a SLAVE of righteousness (Romans 6:16-18). You have been set FREE to serve the Lord and others (Romans 15:1-3; Galatians 5:13; Colossians 3:24).

You have God’s promise that He will ENABLE you to handle ANY problem that comes into your life. Furthermore, you no longer need to be defeated by any problem because God will not permit any difficulty in your life that can overwhelm you (Romans 8:35-37; 1 Corinthians 10:13). In addition to this, He will actively WORK in every difficulty for good as you continue to walk in His way (Romans 8:28-29).

You are now ENABLED to see that God uses trials and problems as OPPORTUNITIES for spiritual growth (Romans 5:3-5; James 1:2-4).

You can have CONFIDENCE because Jesus will never leave you (Matthew 28:10; Hebrews 13:5). He knows about every problem you will ever encounter and is merciful towards you. Moreover, He invites you to come confidently to Him for grace to help in the time of need (Hebrews 4:15-16).

God’s Sufficiency & Your Resources

After conversion to Jesus (a sincere, wholehearted belief in the Lord Jesus Christ), you can change Biblically because of God’s DIVINE POWER available to you.

God’s SPIRIT is within you (John 14:16-17; Romans 8:9), always available to TEACH you God’s truths (John 14:26, 16:13; 1 Corinthians 2:10-13), to STRENGTHEN you (Romans 8:11), to INTERCEDE for you (Romans 8:26-27), to HELP you discern between truth and error (based on 1 John 2:18-27), and to DEVELOP Christlike character in your life (Galatians 5:16-17, 22-23).

God’s WORD is completely sufficient to CHANGE you (1 Thessalonians 2:13; Hebrews 4:12; 2 Peter 1:2-4). to give you HOPE (Romans 15:4), and to COUNSEL you in any situation (2 Timothy 3:16-17).

Instead of relying on the wisdom of this world - which is FOOLISHNESS (1 Corinthians 3:19), or your own ideas - which are INADEQUATE (Isaiah 55:8-9), or your own strength - which is INEFFECTUAL (1 Corinthians 1:25; 1 Peter 1:24), you can have God’s WISDOM (James 1:4), EMPOWERING, STRENGTH (Ephesians 6:10; 2 Thessalonians 3:3; 1 John 4:4) and SUFFICIENCY (2 Corinthians 9:8-10; Philippians 4:19) in every circumstance (1 Corinthians 10:13; Philippians 4:11-13).

The Lord Jesus Christ will always REMAIN with you (Matthew 28:20; Hebrews 13:5), SUSTAIN you (John 15:1-11), and CARE for you (John 10:27-29; Ephesians 5:29). Jesus is and will always be your DEFENDER (1 John 2:1), and He will always INTERCEDE to God the Father on your behalf (Romans 8:34; Hebrews 7:25).

God’s Purpose & Your Focus

After your conversion to Jesus, you can change Biblically because God gives you a DIFFERENT PURPOSE for living.

You are to WORSHIP and SERVE God (Luke 4:8; John 4:23-24), PLEASING Him in all respects (2 Corinthians 5:9; Colossians 1:10) as you are BEING CONFORMED to the image of Jesus Christ, the firstborn among many brethren (Romans 8:29; 2 Corinthians 3:18). As a responsible member of God’s family, you are to GIVE glory to God in all things (Psalm 115:1; 1 Corinthians 10:31; Colossians 3:17). You can now be a SLAVE to righteousness (Romans 6:16-18), and you are an AMBASSADOR for the Lord Jesus Christ (2 Corinthians 5:20).

Instead of living for yourself, you can FOCUS on learning to die to self (Matthew 10:38; Luke 9:23; 1 Corinthians 15:31). In following Christ, you are to LOSE your life for the Lord’s sake (Matthew 10:39; Luke 9:24). This change in allegiance is DEMONSTRATED by practical expressions of LOVING GOD (Matthew 22:37-38; John 14:15, 21; 1 John 5:3) and LOVING OTHERS (Matthew 22:39; 1 Corinthians 13:4-8; Philippians 2:1-4; 1 John 4:7-8, 11, 20).

God’s Plan & Your Obedience

After your conversion to Jesus, you can change Biblically by obeying the BIBLICAL DIRECTIVES given to accomplish these changes.

Biblical change in you, sovereignly ORIGINATED, SUSTAINED, and to be COMPLETED by God (Philippians 1:6; 2:13), is always LINKED to your OBEDIENCE to God’s WORD (Luke 6:46-49; Philippians 2:12; Hebrews 5:14; James 1:22-25). Your obedience to His Word is a GRATEFUL RESPONSE to God’s love that is revealed in Christ Jesus (John 14:15, 21, 23-24); it is not to be dependent upon CIRCUMSTANCES (Acts 5:28-29; 2 Timothy 3:1-17), your FEELINGS (Genesis 4:7; Galatians 5:17; 1 Peter 4:2), or other PEOPLE (Ezekiel 18:20; 1 Peter 3:8-17).

A commitment to PLEASE God (2 Corinthians 5:9; Colossians 1:10) begins with BIBLICAL SELF-CONFRONTATION (Matthew 7:1-5; 1 Corinthians 11:31). Confronting yourself Biblically will enable you to DEVELOP and PRACTICE plans for change in your THOUGHTS (Romans 12:2; 2 Corinthians 10:5; Ephesians 4:23; Philippians 4:8; Colossians 3:2), WORDS (Ephesians 4:29; Colossians 4:6), and ACTIONS (the following references indicate the vast number and kinds of change in actions that are outlined for the people of God: Romans 12-14; Ephesians 4-6; Philippians 2-3; Colossians 2-3; 1 Thessalonians 4; Titus 2-3; James 1-5; 1 Peter 2-3).

The Process of Biblical Change Ends When You Enter into Eternal Fellowship with Him and with Those Who, Throughout History, Have Been Redeemed by our Heavenly Father

A believer in Christ now has an ETERNAL RELATIONSHIP with the Lord, will continue to DWELL with Him in Heaven, and is promised the following:

You will MEET Jesus when He returns with power and great glory (Matthew 16:27, 26:64; Acts 1:11; Colossians 3:4; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; Hebrews 9:28).

You can ANTICIPATE the transformation of your earthly body of corruptible flesh into an immortal, incorruptible, and glorified body (Romans 8:23; 1 Corinthians 15:36-58; Philippians 3:20-21; 1 John 3:2).

You can be ASSURED of living forever with Jesus Christ in a heavenly, eternal city not made with hands (2 Corinthians 5:1; Hebrews 11:10; Revelation 21:1-2, 10-27; 22:1-7).

You will be a PART of a great host of righteous brothers and sisters in Christ who will dwell in peace and joy forever (Matthew 24:31; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; Revelation 7:9; 22:14), where there will be no more tears, sorrow, or darkness (Revelation 21:2-4, 23-25).

In the present, you can ANTICIPATE this eternal fellowship.

You must KEEP your heart and mind ESTABLISHED, READY, and CLEAR with your activities in proper perspective, anticipating His glorious appearing (Philippians 3:20; Titus 2:11-13; 1 Peter 1:13; 1 John 3:3).

Be CAREFUL of your walk and make the most of your time (Ephesians 5:15-16; 1 Thessalonians 5:6-10).

Encourage other believers (1 Thessalonians 5:11; Hebrews 10:23-25) and comfort them with the hope of His coming (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18, especially verse 18).