20-DAY CHALLENGE: LIVING THE CHRISTIAN LIFE (DAY-16)

20-DAY CHALLENGE: LIVING THE CHRISTIAN LIFE (Day 16)

WHAT CHANGES WHEN A PERSON BECOMES A CHRISTIAN?

BIBLE PASSAGE:
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
without having 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’s.

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, and we are motivated to make changes.
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 to a non-Christian, lying is normal and accepted.
When lying is permissible, dishonesty abounds,
but when lying is no longer permissible, followers of Christ
have to make some conscious decisions to avoid dishonesty.
There are other “do not’s”
that should also become a part of our ‘new life’.

When we become Christians, it is the start of a transformation
process that leads to a desire to increase our knowledge and
thoughts of God (and His desires).
However, 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
we have sincerely surrendered to the Lord.
“Taking off” our old habits (practices) is an indication
that we are “putting on” our ‘new self’,
and developing new habits and attitudes.

Our ‘new self’ includes a burning 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.
It 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 which remain 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, practices, habits and attitudes 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.”