Christians are brand-new people on the inside. The
Holy Spirit gives them new life, and they are not the same anymore. We are not
reformed, rehabilitated, or reeducated - we are re-created (new creations),
living in vital union with Christ (Colossians 2:6,7). At conversion we do not
merely turn over a new leaf; we begin a new life under a new Master.
You do not become a Christian by asking Jesus into your
heart. You become a Christian when you are born again. Jesus said, “Unless one
is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God” (John 3:3). Saying a prayer or
making a public commitment or signing a decision card will not save you. Only
being born again will do that. The apostle Paul said that when you are “in
Christ,” the old things pass away. In the moment of your salvation, every sin
you ever committed is forgiven. Healing for every hurt you have ever suffered
is available. Love and acceptance are yours despite every failure you have ever
experienced. Your past, no matter how difficult or painful, is completely and
thoroughly provided for.
Some will seek to diminish the awesome reality of your
spiritual rebirth. You will hear them say, “Even though you're now a Christian,
you must still undergo years of counseling to overcome the hurts you've
experienced” or “You may be born again, but you'll continue to struggle with
your sin, and hopefully you will eventually gain victory in areas of your
weakness.”
The problem is that we seek changes by our own will rather
than by turning our lives over in faith to the One who has given us new life.
The profound testimony of Scripture is that the blood of Jesus Christ and the
death of the Son of God is sufficient to completely free you from your sin.
Satan will seek to convince you that it is not. Whom will you believe?
- Excerpt from “Experiencing God Day-By-Day” by Henry and Richard Blackaby