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HE CHANGES US!

by linzy bruno  
3/21/2024 / Bible Studies

 

The only way that we can see godly changes in our hearts that will last is to cooperate with God’s Spirit that has indwelt us since the moment we accepted Jesus as our Savior, but it is God that does the changing. Of course the initial change occurs at the moment of salvation, but then He continues to take us from glory to glory; one change at a time. Every spiritual matter that needs changing, even things about ourselves that we have always wanted to change, but were powerless to, God can change in an instant; provided we allow those changes to come to pass. Maturing believers ultimately come to understand that we have to learn to get out of His Way, and let Him do what He wants to do in our hearts.

God’s Word tells us that we all must deal with our own brand of inherent wickedness:

“The heart is deceitful above all things, And desperately wicked; Who can know it?” (Jeremiah 17:9)

However, notwithstanding our helplessness, God can do anything; He can change even the most wicked hearts and evil intentions into godly ones. Even the Apostle Paul, who wrote most of the New Testament found that he could not change his ungodly behavior without God calling him to His Throne and leading him to Jesus. Before God’s Call, he was called by the name of Saul, and he was known for his hatred and persecution of believers in Christ. And when Christians are persecuted, God takes that personally:

“As he journeyed he came near Damascus, and suddenly a light shone around him from heaven. Then he fell to the ground, and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?” And he said, “Who are You, Lord?” Then the Lord said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. It is hard for you to kick against the goads.” So he, trembling and astonished, said, “Lord, what do You want me to do?” Then the Lord said to him, “Arise and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.” And the men who journeyed with him stood speechless, hearing a voice but seeing no one. Then Saul arose from the ground, and when his eyes were opened he saw no one. But they led him by the hand and brought him into Damascus. And he was three days without sight, and neither ate nor drank.” (Acts 9:3-9, See the entire chapter for the entire story of Paul’s Conversion.)

 

Later while in Corinth, he humbly confessed his inadequacy before his transformation, that kept him in perpetual humility:

 

“For I am the least of the apostles, who am not worthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God.” (1Corinthians 15:9)

 

Perhaps Paul’s transformative condition was behind his motivation to illustrate to his church this imperative and pivotal aspect, without which no heart could ever be changed:

“But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as the Spirit of the Lord.” (2Corinthians 3:18)

Furthermore, Ezekiel delivered this message, which came directly from God to his people on the banks of Kebar Canal in Tel Abib, during the time of Israel’s captivity in Babylon:

“I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will keep My judgments and do them.” (Ezekiel 36:26-27)

 

For us severely flawed and weak beings, the idea of change is foreign; utterly impossible to accomplish without God’s Spirit providing the strength and understanding in which to see all things through. Therefore, much like babies need parents for their physical survival in the world, believers need God for spiritual survival. It may sound funny, but it is glaringly true that God changes baby Christians in a very different way than we change our little ones; both are vitally needed. We clean up after our babies, but only God can clean up after His babies! They rely on us and we rely on GOD!

Therefore, when we think about God’s Hand in changing us, it’s not at all strange for an image of our mother to come to mind!

So, inasmuch as it is appropriate for children to thank mothers and fathers and perhaps even older siblings and other caretakers for cleaning up after us as children; we ought to be sure and give ALL GLORY TO GOD FOR CHANGING US……… on the inside!

 

 NKJV

Linzy has been writing for many years; seriously since her 3 kids were still young and inspirational. She has taken 2 courses in Bible studies and completed "Four Soils" Bible study course in a 26-month period; earning her certification in Bible Counselling.

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