WHAT CHANGES WHEN A PERSON BECOMES A CHRISTIAN?

SCRIPTURE:
Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with 
its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in 
knowledge in the image of its Creator. 
(Colossians 3:9-10)

MEDITATION:
For those who do not know the Lord as their Savior, 
there are a different set of rules and expectations.
As an example, they can lie to others with no feelings of guilt or remorse.
There are many other instances where the restraints of God are non-existent 
and consequently people have many practices that are based on their own 
ideals, (or those of others) and not God.

Christians were at that same point 
before they surrendered their lives to the Lord.
However, something unique happens when we become true believers.
The words “born again” make sense to us 
because we have a new set of standards to live by.

We consider our habits, actions and practices from God’s point of view 
rather than how we fit into the worldly values.
We know that our old way of life 
leads to eternal death (separation from God) but our new way of life 
leads to eternal bliss, so we are motivated to change.
Satan wants to ‘desensitize’ us to the reality of hell and its torment,
but God wants to ‘sensitize’ us to the splendor of Heaven.

The scriptures tell us ‘do not lie to each other’ 
which seems to imply that as non-Christians lying is a normal practice.
When lying is permissible, anything is possible, but when lying is no longer 
permissible, a person has to make some conscious changes in their lives.
There are other “do not’s” that should become a part of our new life.

When we become Christians, it is the start of a transformation 
where our thoughts and knowledge of God and His desires increase.
It is not a ‘one and done’ process, 
but a continual development throughout our lives.
When we read the scriptures in Colossians, 
we see a good measurement of whether or not 
our surrender to the Lord is sincere.
Setting aside our old habits (practices) is an indication 
that we are putting on our ‘new self’ and developing new habits.

Our ‘new self’ includes 
a burning to desire to seek the Lord and know more about Him.
We want to think like He thinks 
and do the things He would do if He were human.
Our life and habits enter a new dimension.
In is in this new dimension, 
that we begin realizing personal fulfillment, meaning, and joy.

ACTION:
Have you ‘put on your new self’?
How much have you failed to give to the Lord?
Are you still lying, holding on to the tithes He requires, failing to 
meet with others to praise and worship Him, holding on to some favorite 
sins, or anything else that are practices from your ‘old self’?
Wouldn’t you like to start finding fulfillment, meaning and joy in living?

Pray,
“Heavenly Father, thank You for the promise that I will become a new person 
when I give my life to You. Thank You for Your promise that You will create 
in me new desires and practices that are good. I ask You to take over every 
part of my life and draw me closer to You and Your Son, Jesus Christ. I want 
to find You and know You more so that I will find real fulfillment, meaning 
and joy in living.”