You Can Never Change Enough
In our journey of faith, there’s a critical understanding that often gets overshadowed by a simpler, less challenging idea. The Bible doesn’t just call us to “change”; it calls us to be made new. This concept is woven throughout scripture, emphasizing that following Christ isn’t about making minor adjustments to our lives but about a complete and utter transformation.
Today, we will explore what it means to be created brand new in Christ, why mere change isn’t enough, and how this newness manifests in the life of a believer.
David Never Begged God to Change Him
In Psalm 51:1-12, we find King David, a man after God’s own heart, brought low by his own sin. David had committed a grievous act before the Lord, and his heart was heavy with guilt and shame. As a mighty king, David was well aware of his tendency to “slip up” and do wrong. However, what sets David apart is his willingness to confront his sin head-on and plead for God’s mercy.
David understood that his sin wasn’t something he could merely change on his own. In verse 10, he cries out, “Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.” David recognized that he didn’t need a simple change; he needed a complete re-creation.
He didn’t ask God to help him do better next time—he asked for a new heart, a total renewal from the inside out. This plea for a new heart reflects the radical nature of God’s work in us. It’s not about turning over a new leaf; it’s about God creating something entirely new within us.
Nicodemus Was the Sneaky Pharisee
In today’s culture, the word “change” is often thrown around lightly. We talk about changing habits, changing our minds, or even changing our lifestyles. While change can be good, the Bible calls us to something much more profound—being born again.
In John 3:1-5, we see Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews, struggling to grasp this concept as he converses with Jesus.
Nicodemus was fixated on the idea of change, but Jesus was talking about becoming an entirely new creature. “Unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God,” Jesus tells him (John 3:3). This isn’t a mere adjustment or improvement; it’s a complete transformation that starts with a new birth.
The Apostle Paul echoes this in 2 Corinthians 5:17, where he writes, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.” This verse makes it clear that being in Christ isn’t just about changing certain behaviors or attitudes—it’s about becoming something entirely new, so transformed that we are unrecognizable from our former selves.
Change is Minor Rebirth is Major
To illustrate the difference between change and newness, consider the analogy of a classic car. My favorite car is a 1975 Cadillac Coupe Deville. Between 1974 and 1979, significant changes were made to the Coupe Deville. While there were changes, the cars were still recognizable as a Cadillac from that era. But when you compare those models to a 2020 Coupe Deville, the transformation is so complete that it looks nothing like the 1970s models.
Similarly, when God creates us anew, the transformation is so radical that people who knew us in the past might not even recognize us. We may have the same name, but everything else about us has changed. We’re not just improved versions of our old selves; we are entirely new creations in Christ.
The Importance of Precise Gospel Language
It’s important to be precise in our language when we talk about “change” versus “being born again.” This isn’t a matter of semantics; it’s a matter of understanding the profound work that God does in us when we are saved.
Jesus taught in Matthew 9:17 that “new wine must be put into fresh wineskins.” This means that the newness of life offered by Christ cannot be contained within the old patterns and frameworks of our former selves. Trying to force our new life in Christ into old habits and environments is not only futile but can also be destructive.
This is why scripture repeatedly emphasizes the need for a complete break from the old and a total embrace of the new. In Genesis 12:1, God told Abraham, “Go from your country and your kindred and your father’s house to the land that I will show you.” God knew that in order for Abraham to step into the new life He had for him, he needed to leave behind the old.
Impossible is Nothing to Jesus Christ
To walk in newness, we must go to God with bold requests, asking Him to do the impossible. In Exodus 33:18-23, Moses boldly asked God to show him His glory. Though this was a daunting request, God honored it, revealing Himself to Moses in a profound way.
Similarly, Esther risked her life to save her people, saying, “I will go to the king, though it is against the law, and if I perish, I perish” (Esther 4:16). Her willingness to step into a new role with courage and faith resulted in the salvation of her nation.
Elisha, too, made a bold request of Elijah, asking for a double portion of his spirit (2 Kings 2:9-10). Though Elijah acknowledged that Elisha had asked for a difficult thing, God granted it because Elisha dared to ask.
To truly become new, we must be willing to ask God the difficult questions and trust that He will answer. When Sarah doubted God’s promise of a child, He responded, “Is anything too hard for the Lord?” (Genesis 18:14). The same God who fulfilled His promise to Sarah is ready to fulfill His promises to us when we step out in faith and ask.
Taking the Final Recreative Step
Finally, to become new, we must put away the old sin. This is often the hardest part because old patterns, relationships, and environments can be incredibly difficult to leave behind. The enemy will try to pull us back into our old ways, but we must resist and move forward in the new life God has for us.
The Apostle Paul writes in Romans 12:2, “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind.” This transformation requires us to let go of the old and embrace the new with every fiber of our being.
When we feel that becoming new is too hard, we can find strength in God’s Word:
“I lift up my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come? My help comes from the Lord” (Psalm 121:1-2).
“Cast all your anxieties on Him, because He cares for you” (1 Peter 5:7).
“The Lord is my strength and my song; He has become my salvation” (Psalm 118:14).
Conclusion
Being made new in Christ is not just about a surface-level change; it’s about a profound transformation that redefines who we are at the core. This renewal is a complete overhaul, turning us into new creations where old things pass away, and everything becomes new.
As believers, it’s vital to embrace this process, understanding that it’s not merely an upgrade but a radical rebirth that sets us on a path to live out the purpose God has for our lives. By submitting to this divine process, we allow God to mold us into the people He has called us to be, reflecting His glory in every aspect of our lives.
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