In one sense, CHANGE is the name of the Christian life. We are always being transformed into the likeness of Christ...and we NEVER reach that full likeness in the here and now. God is engaged in conforming us to His Son's image...a conforming that began when we were BORN AGAIN, born from above, made alive with the very life of God. What an encouragement to know that we are NO LONGER who we were when we were enslaved to sin and the world and Satan. Isn't it because we still see ourselves as the person we were BEFORE Christ that we don't believe we can change?
Reason why God says we can change #2:
"We are indwelt by the Spirit of God."
The Holy Spirit is God the Spirit, the third member (we might say) of the Trinity. He is fully God. And...wonder of wonders, He comes to live in us to apply the work of salvation and CHANGE that the Father planned and the Son accomplished in eternity past.
The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of CHANGE,
"And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord, WHO IS THE SPIRIT." 2 Corinthians 3:18
The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of CHARACTER,
"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control..." Galatians 5:22,23
The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of MOTIVATION and POWER,
"And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes and be careful to obey my rules." Ezekiel 36:26,27
Not only has God given you His life in your spirit (Born Again), He has also come to LIVE IN YOUR SOUL. This new life that is ours is brought to us and given to us and maintained in us by the HOLY SPIRIT. As God dwelt above the cherubim in the tabernacle in the wilderness in the holy of holies of that holy tent, the Spirit of God dwells in our hearts...our very bodies are temples of the Spirit in this age...1 Corinthians 6:19. This is astounding...but Scripture assures us it is so.
Therefore, WE CAN CHANGE, no matter our past, present, or future, because the Spirit of God is the present, transforming, SOVEREIGN Spirit. He is in control of all things and works them for our good.
We must be careful, then, NOT to grieve the Spirit (Ephesians 4:30) by our sin and unbelief. We are utterly dependent on Him every moment of every day for godly change.
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