In Genesis 1:2-31, we have the creation account. Note the change from verse 2, “And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep...” Then God changed the “without form, and void” into a creation of beauty and order. So God does spiritually to a sinner dead in trespasses and sins as the Spirit of God does His Work in Regeneration. The quickened sinner is brought from death to life; from darkness to light; from blindness to sight.
Christ is formed in the sinner at regeneration. The Old Man is crucified and the New Man is installed in his heart. Paul styled this transaction in Christ as being made a “new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new” (2 Corinthians 5:17). Here we see The Change spiritually in one born again or born from above by the Spirit of God (John 3:3-8).
When you are born again, there is a Change in:
1) Your Desire: when you were dead in trespasses and sins, when you were controlled by the sin nature, your will was toward filling your life with the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes and the pride of life (Ephesians 2:1-3). But when born again, you are given a new nature; the Seed of God is placed in you; you are a partaker of the Divine Nature of God or of Love. Then your desire is to serve Christ.
2) Your Goal: before your spiritual change, your goal was to please self. But after the change, your goal is to please the Saviour (Colossians 3:1-3).
3) Your Walk: before your spiritual change from death to life, you walked in the flesh totally. But after the change, you walk in Love, in the Light, and circumspectly (Ephesians 5:1-17; Galatians 5:16, 24; 1 John 2:6).
4) Your Treasure: before your change, your treasure was earthly gain. But after your change, your treasure is heavenly, even Christ Himself (Matthew 6:19-21).
5) Your Master: before your change, your master was the god of this world. But after the change, God became your Master (Matthew 6:24).
When the Change has come into you, then comes Choice and Responsibility (Deuteronomy 30:10-19). Note you must:
1) Consider the Commandments: the commandments to the born again believer are:
(a) Love God and thy neighbor (Matthew 22:37-40);
(b) Love as Christ loved; which He gave Himself to redeem us from sin’s penalty (John 13:34-35);
(c) If you love me, Christ said “keep my commandments” (John 14:15);
(d) If you love me, carry out the ministry of reconciliation as an ambassador for Christ (Matthew 28:19-20; 2 Corinthians 5:18-20).
2) Count the Cost: the cost is to deny all and take up His cross and follow Him (Luke 14:26-33).
When the Choice comes, then comes the Commitment to the Call. There must be not only a hearing of God’s Word, but also a Doing of God’s Word (James 1:22-25; Mark 5:18-20). We must make the Choice to serve God and then put it into practice.
When the Commitment begins, then comes the Conforming to the Christ: “But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord” (2 Corinthians 3:18). As you study God’s Word, and grow in grace and knowledge, you “are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.” This is practical sanctification. The more you study Christ; the more you will be progressively changed in your attitude, actions, and attire. This will be manifested daily in your walk, in your work, and in your witness.
Has the change happened unto you? Are you beholding Christ in His Royal Law of Liberty? If so, then you are being changed into His Image.
(This devotion was previously posted on November 4, 2010.)
Leave a Reply