A TRANSFORMED LIFE SPEAKS LOVE TO A BROKEN WORLD
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“For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God.” – 1 Peter 1:23
Autumn is a time of change. One of the most vivid signs of this seasonal change occurs in the leaves of deciduous trees. The crisp, cool temperatures of fall together with the shorter daylight hours cause the leaves to turn vibrant hues of color. Soon the leaves die and fall to the ground as the trees prepare for the cold winter.
Spring also brings change. It is a time of rebirth. As the weather warms and the days lengthen, these same deciduous trees emerge from their dormancy and undergo a transformation. Tiny buds form on their branches, bursting forth, in many species, with majestic displays of colorful blooms. Always an abundance of fresh, green foliage explodes on the trees.
“We were therefore buried with Him through baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may walk in newness of life.” – Romans 6:4
◊ Salvation brings a changed life
A step of faith + a heart of belief + an act of grace = a transformed life. By the grace of Jesus believers are saved. As autumn leaves die and fall away, so our old life dies and is left in the past. We become new creations in Christ… reborn from above, changed from within.
When we surrender ourselves to the One who gave Himself for us, we experience a rebirth. Just as new flowers and leaves blossom on the trees in spring, so our new life blooms to the glory of our Savior. For only when we die to ourselves can we truly live for Him.
“Whoever is united with the Lord is one with Him in spirit.” – 1 Corinthians 6:17
◊ Authentic Christians manifest a changed life
Believing is a journey to greatness as we become more and more like Jesus. At salvation, our Christian walk begins. We are eternally changed. Never will our lives be the same. We bear the stamp of our Redeemer. We are grafted into the True Vine.
The regenerating power of the Spirit instills in us our Lord’s nature, character, integrity. We become united with Him. His thoughts and ways start to become our thoughts and ways. Little by little, we are sanctified… growing ever closer to the likeness of Jesus.
“Be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and put on the new self, which in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth.” – Ephesians 4:23-24
◊ A changed life has new depth, dimension and purpose
Our minds, our hearts, our spirits are refashioned at salvation. The new self has Spirit-inspired values, morals and ideals that override the worldly ones from our old life. Scripture takes on new power. As we read God’s Word, His revelations sink deep into our lives.
Our new belief system becomes a part of who we are and how we respond to life. An eternal perspective replaces an earthly point of view. Our lives have fresh purpose, intention and direction from the Holy Spirit.
“As the Father has loved Me, so have I loved you. Abide in My love.” – John 15:9
◊ A changed life exhibits the love of Christ
The love of Christ is unconditional. His earthly ministry was marked by warmth, compassion and unconditional love. No one was unapproachable to Him. The outcasts of society were welcomed by Him… lepers, demon-possessed, Samaritans, tax collectors, sinners from all walks of life. He was never put off by them. For in His eyes, all were unique, valued and beloved.
Believers are to live as a reflection of Jesus… to mirror His character to a lost and broken world. We are commanded to live by the law of Christ… the law of love. To love Him and to love those He loves. To recognize and treasure each person’s uniqueness… each made in the image of the Creator. To live a life that speaks the love of Jesus.
“For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.” – Luke 19:10
◊ A changed life lives out the gospel message
At salvation, Jesus calls us to a new purpose in life… to carry on His mission to a lost world… a world of brokenness. As we take up our cross and follow Him, we reach out to the unsaved and show them the path to salvation. With His love and compassion, we seek out those who are broken, emotionally and spiritually, and point them to the Healer.
Jesus lived out His gospel message during His time on earth. His life spoke love to a broken world. In His eyes, all had inherent hope. Hope, however hidden, could always be found by Him in the shadows of their lives. He knew just how to bring it into His light. Like Jesus, we need to see the hope within each person… to lead them to the Living Hope, the only One who can change their lives for all eternity.
† Eternal Takeaway: A changed life is lived as a reflection of Jesus †
