Change

Why should a Christian’s life be different from that of someone who does not believe Jesus died for us?

The first reason is that we are different. Our sins are forgiven because of Christ’s death. To deliberately continue sinning would be an affront to what we’ve professed to believe. His death was not a mere convenience to get us into heaven, but to change our lives. That change is not for us, it is for God’s purpose, and His purpose has definition in the Bible.

Sometimes change is not good: Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things. Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves: Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen. (Romans 1:22-25)

There is another change that comes to a Christian when it is realized we are created in God’s image. That we are a spiritual creature made to show Him in this world: But even unto this day, when Moses is read, the vail is upon their heart. Nevertheless when it shall turn to the Lord, the vail shall be taken away. Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord. (2 Corinthians 3:15-18)

How can we know of someone’s change? The Bible gives testimony of the fruits of the Spirit:: But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. (Galatians 5:22-23)

And, again: For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light: (For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;) Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord. (Ephesians 5:8-10)

This coming change is eternal and awaited: Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. (1 Corinthians 15:51-52)