Committed to Christ-like Change
“Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.” Psalm 51:10 (KJV, emphasis added)
Most of us are familiar with the idiomatic question: Who made the bigger investment: the chicken that gave us eggs or the pig that gave us the bacon? Obviously the pig offered his life for his offering so he would be the one that made the greater investment.
Deeply loved by God: Are you aware of the cost of Christ-like change for the heart? Too many of us are laying an egg as opposed to giving up the bacon as it relates to the kind of change that Christ believes in. When was the last time that you had a Spiritual heart check-up? The Scriptures call us to check our hearts on a consistent basis.
“Examine me, O Lord, and prove me; try my reins and my heart.” Psalm 26:2 (KJV)
“Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?” 2 Corinthians 13:5 (KJV)
Furthermore, the prophet Isaiah accurately addresses the human heart condition apart from the Spirit’s presence and thereby calls us to the discipline of self-examination.
“But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.” Isaiah 64:6 (KJV)
As a follower of Christ, are you willing to count the cost and commit to Christ-like change or will you conform and capitulate to the Christ-less culture? That is, a culture that does not exalt Jesus Christ as Lord. The Word of God is clear about genuine change. Genuine change cannot take place in the heart without Christ’s ruling influence.
“Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior.” Titus 3:5-6 (KJV)
“According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue.” 2 Peter 1:3 (KJV)
Note that the catalyst for change is supernatural; not natural. Change accomplished by human or carnal means, via methods of pop psychology, secularism, humanism or man-centered concepts is not consistent or lasting. We must renew our minds for Christ-like change.
“Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.” Psalm 51:10 (KJV, emphasis added)
“And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” Romans 12:2 (KJV, emphasis added)
“And be renewed in the spirit of your mind.” Ephesians 4:23 (KJV, emphasis added)
Let’s purpose to commit ourselves to Christ-like change to prevent ourselves from conforming and changing with a Christ-less culture. A Christ-less culture redefines what I call the foundational pillars of a society: Family, Church, and Government as well as other components of our culture: Law, Education, Science, Medicine, Business, Money, Entertainment, Media and Communication. People make the world go around. We need the people of God to commit to Christ-like change in order to change the world we live in.
For the Glory of God,
PBKSR