Be Changed

Romans 12:1-2 (New International Version, ©2010)

¹ Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. ² Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

What does it mean to be a Christian? This is a question I have been pondering lately.
What does it mean?
What does it entail?
What is it all about?

This is actually a lesson I felt led to give to my students at church. I have yet to give it, but I plan on asking them this simple, and yet amazingly profound question. What does it mean to be a Christian?

At times I struggle as I try to write, wondering to myself who I think I am to try and tell anyone else about what it means to be a Christian... to live as a Christian. But I also feel obligated to God to use the gifts He has given me to honor Him. I hope that this succeeds in doing just that.

For many, being a Christian is nothing more than a religious affiliation... most likely something passed on by their parents. At times it may come to down to morals, and wanting to live a moral and good life... yet at the same time, there is no desire there to know Jesus... to love Jesus. I guess that for some it is good enough to feel like they have these morals, and to have this affiliation... this religion... but shouldn't Christianity be much more than that?

And if it is... what should it be... what does it mean...

To me, Christianity can be defined, and hopefully we can see that it remains more than beliefs... more than church... more than morals... more than living a good life... more than all we ever thought it was or could be.

To be a Christian is to be a follower of Christ. When Jesus first called the disciples, what is it that He said to them... follow me.

Matthew 4:19 (New King James Version)

¹⁹ Then He said to them, “Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.”

Jesus later on went on to say...

Matthew 10:38 (New King James Version)

³⁸ And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me.

and again...

Matthew 16:24 (New King James Version)

²⁴ Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.

So what does it mean to follow Jesus? I believe that it is still a choice that we must make as this last verse says "if anyone desires to come after me...", so what will that choice entail?

Followers of Christ have a duty to be imitators of Christ...

Ephesians 5:1-2 (New King James Version)

¹ Therefore be imitators of God as dear children. ² And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma.

And followers of Christ have a duty to be ambassadors for Christ...

2 Corinthians 5:20 (New King James Version)

²⁰ Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ’s behalf, be reconciled to God.

Followers of Christ are to be set apart... different... holy unto God...

Acts 26:17-18 (New Living Translation)

¹⁷ And I will rescue you from both your own people and the Gentiles. Yes, I am sending you to the Gentiles ¹⁸ to open their eyes, so they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God. Then they will receive forgiveness for their sins and be given a place among God’s people, who are set apart by faith in me.’

1 Peter 1:14-16 (New King James Version)

¹⁴ as obedient children, not conforming yourselves to the former lusts, as in your ignorance; ¹⁵ but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, ¹⁶ because it is written, “Be holy, for I am holy.”

We as followers of Christ, should be imitators of Him... ambassadors for Him... and be set apart unto Him... because we are now adopted children of God...

Romans 8:14-16 (New International Version, ©2010)

¹⁴ For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God. ¹⁵ The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.” ¹⁶ The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children.

and...

Galatians 4:5-7 (New International Version, ©2010)

⁵ to redeem those under the law, that we might receive adoption to sonship. ⁶ Because you are his sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, “Abba, Father.” ⁷ So you are no longer a slave, but God’s child; and since you are his child, God has made you also an heir.

So what is the key to all of this, how do we as imperfect people do what the Lord is asking us to do... commanding us to do... ?

Be changed.

That is the key. We allow Him to change us, step by step, minute by minute, day by day. That is the only way, for we are not strong enough to do it on our own. It is only through Him that we can become like Him. It is only through Him that we can follow Him... heed His example... obey His commands... love Him as He loves us... and love others as He loves them.

It is ok to be different from everyone and anyone else. It is ok to stand up for what is right in God's eyes when the world says otherwise. He expects us to be the salt and the light in this world... and I have to ask... don't we owe that to Him? To obey... to shine for Him... to shout from the rooftops... to sing His praise... to spread the word.

At times as we travel the narrow road, it may seem as we travel it alone... and that is ok, for we are never alone... He is always with us.

At times when this life gets so hard and the pain so unbearable it may seem hard to love Him, hard to understand why... but we love Him because He first loved us, and His love never fails.

And as we change... as He changes us... all this may become more clear as the changes set in and we become stronger in our faith.

It is not about trying to be good enough. It is not about trying to earn His approval and good will. He has freely given it... it is ours to receive. And if we are willing to follow His example... if we are willing to humble ourselves before Him... if we are willing to be changed... He will change us. As He changes us we will be free to live the lives that He has for us to live... a life that is set apart unto Him.

As Christians we are so much more than followers of a religion. As Christians we are who He says we are... and He calls us friend... He calls us His sons and daughters... He calls us His beloved.

I know that He is challenging me right now to live what I am writing here... He has been, and at times I fall short.

But this is my desire... to be changed.

Romans 12:1-2 (New International Version, ©2010)

¹ Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. ² Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

May God Almighty bless you and keep you.

My friend Justin, my brother in this faith, has started using this signature at the end of his emails and messages, and I liked it so much I think I have to borrow it from him...

May Yahweh guide you as He guides me, always opening doors to draw you closer to Him. Amen!

Some music for the road...
"My Desire" by Jeremy Camp

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TiQaRn0k88w

"Who I Really Am" by Chris and Conrad

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sqS3xyWuhUw

"Want To Be Real" by Chris August

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_3BdJ8-9MQE

"Send Me Out" by Fee

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Scp6DbXxdVo

"I Will Go" by Starfield

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eg1_KXcrg-8

"Healing Begins" by Tenth Avenue North

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AiIwpJcQ34Q&feature=related