Online Articles
Being “Changed”
Being changed has always been something we Christians have been taught and encouraged to do, as we give our life to Christ. But what exactly does change mean? The legitimate definition of change is: “the act or instance of making or becoming different.” So when we talk about change from the Old Man to the New, it is a complete transformation.
In Colossians 3:9 we read, “seeing that you have put off the old self with its practices,” which refers to doing away with anything and everything associated with the desires of the flesh prior to being baptized. This complete transformation demands giving up all old fleshly practices and putting on Christ. Furthermore, it is continuing to walk in His footsteps, while doing His will and His practices. Galatians 3:27 states, ”for as many of you have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.” We sing a song with the lyrics: “None of self and all of thee”. This indicates our full submissiveness to the will of Christ our Lord.
Not only are we to live Christ-like, we are commanded in Colossians 3:12, “Put on then as God’s chosen ones holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience,” and later in verse 14 it says, “above all put on love which binds everything together in perfect harmony.” So as Christians living in the name of Christ, we are to exemplify all these characteristics when we become transformed under the law of baptism into Christ.
Living as changed people in such a crooked generation is not fully accepted by people in society today, because we do not walk in the same paths as they do, and they do not hold to the same morals and beliefs we do. So then, what is supposed to be our driving force for living as a “changed” people? Well, we are told specifically by Christ in Revelation 2:10, “Be faithful unto death and I will give you the Crown of Life.” If we continue daily in prayer and earnestly live Christ-like, we have an eternal home in heaven not made by hands. In John 14:2 we read, “In my Father’s house there are many mansions.” I don’t know about you, but an eternal reward of heaven and everlasting life in the presence of God and Christ our Lord sounds like a pretty good deal for living a changed life under Christ with all humility and submissiveness.
As people living with a changed and fixed perspective on a new life in Christ, ours is not always going to be an easy ride with rainbows and sunshine. We are fighting a spiritual battle daily against our mortal foe Satan: 1 Peter 5:8 “Be sober, be vigilant because your adversary, the devil walks around like a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour.” As Christians, we see that we are also commanded to have vigilance and watchful eyes, because the devil is trying to capture us in sin and separate us from God. Living a changed life in Christ gives us all the tools we need to fight our evil adversary. Living this new life in Christ also demands of us to put on the armor of God, which is the only way to extinguish the fiery darts of Satan. Ephesians 6:10-12 says, “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.”
So we see, even though it won’t be easy living this changed life, we must remember that we have a promised eternal salvation, if we live faithfully throughout all our days. We are provided all we need by God to live this changed life the right way.
In closing, let us remind ourselves of what we find in Ephesians 4:24, “Put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.” If we are not truly committed this way in submitting ourselves to God through changed hearts, we are not in the right place. In walking with Christ, we are either one of two things:
1. Fully in, living changed lives or…
2. Fully out, there’s no in between.
So which one are you?
Chris Patek
