Change
Many times, while working in law enforcement, I came in contact with individuals who wanted to change their lives. The conversation would come during a time of incarcerated confession. They would talk about how they wanted to have another chance. Often the individual making the statement had tears and deep momentary emotions. Many of these individuals would get that second chance, third chance, fourth, and so on. Change looks easy on the surface, especially when we are facing the penalty for our mistake. What frequently happens is we want to change but we don’t change the way we live and so we fall into the same traps that got us where we are to begin with.
Acceptance of Jesus in our lives brings a new way of life. The Bible says that we are to put off the old self and take new. Colossians 3: 1 – 3 Since, then you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. Notice that two things are recommended for change: Ones heart and ones mind.
One of the places I’ve had a privilege of speaking into lives is at a juvenile detention facility. Incarcerated individuals have made decisions for following Jesus and have prayed forgiveness and have truly repented. One of the problems with this setting is lack of ability for follow up visits and continued encouragement for those who really want to change. There is no doubt that some of the youth who make decisions to become followers of Jesus find certain success in change. Unfortunately, most do not find the path to a maintained relationship with the Lord. But what about the rest of us? What is preventing some of us from spiritual change that is long lasting and real.
Colossians 3: 5 – 10 Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. Because of these, the wrath of God is coming. You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived. But now you must rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips. 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.
Well that is a list of what not to do. It is definitely pointing us to change. The next verses are the descriptive change patterns.
Colossians 3: 12 – 15 Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. (Verse 16 is then a key to finding the path of success in all this:) Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.
Many of us have not had to endure the pain of being arrested. We have had the opportunity to make decisions for change without trauma. Many others have endured trauma. Many have come to change because of issues bigger than them. What is important for us to realize is that it doesn’t matter how we arrive. What matters is how we remain in the blessing of relationship with the Father.
