Changed

Changed

by David Brenneman 

"So then, those who had received his word were baptized; and that day there were added about three thousand souls. They were continually devoting themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone kept feeling a sense of awe; and many wonders and signs were taking place through the apostles. And all those who had believed were together and had all things in common;" Acts 2:41-44.

Are we hindering the work of the Spirit of God in our lives when we aren't following in these footsteps?

I have been to several churches where they were trying to have a revival event. Yet if they themselves weren't living the changed life would they ever see such a thing like that happen?

I remember hearing stories of some of the great evangelists of days gone by and what the result was of them essentially following in this path that we read about this morning. A great change happened by the work of the Spirit of God in their lives, their lives reflected that change and then they obediently lived out that change. They were blessed, God was glorified, and the fame and name of Jesus Christ was spread. Lives were changed. 

We are never meant to stay where we were after coming to Christ for salvation. We were never meant to look for a place to set up shop or a place to stay until either the Rapture of the Church or we're called home. 

We are to indeed dig into what it means to be a disciple of Christ Jesus ourselves and follow where He leads.  

The result will speak for themselves. People will indeed see our good works and glorify our Father in Heaven.  

In Psalm 23 we read: "The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside quiet waters. He restores my soul; He guides me in the paths of righteousness For His name’s sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You have anointed my head with oil; My cup overflows. Surely goodness and lovingkindness will follow me all the days of my life, And I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever." Psalms 23:1-6.

He is what's used many times. He makes He leads He restores. You are with me You prepare You have anointed my head with oil.  

We aren't to be lethargic Christians waiting to be served. Much of the He statements are to get our behavior as sheep to change. Once on that road of change the You statements come into play. 

It's not enough to simply or merely be labeled as a Christ-follower. Many, Jesus says, many will lay claim to a life in Christ yet will be told to depart for He never knew them. The changes in their lives that they said were Christ-like changes weren't the changes that came from God through the Spirit. They were culturally safe, unoffensive changes. There was no evidence of true life change.  

Are you in a true, real, relationship with Jesus? Was there a day that you can point to where you know you came to Christ for salvation? Or are you merely mimicking Christians around you with the hope that you'll blend in enough to get into Heaven?

Jesus Himself will separate His sheep from those who aren't. He is GOING to know who is faking being a real sheep from those who are not. ALL His sheep will have His mark upon them. You can't know what that mark is or looks like because, like all else, it is Spiritually discerned and even those who are saved cannot see it yet.

Many people will be crying out with horrific screams when Jesus does this separation of the world's people.   

Quite probably there will be Believers crying because the truth of their friends and family will be revealed concerning salvation as well.

Trillions of 'good' people wake up in Hell because they never truly were saved in Christ Jesus.  

Do you really show a life that was changed or do you keep holding onto excuses as to why you live your life the way you are? Is Jesus Christ the forgiver of your sins and the leader of your life? It certainly should be seen by yourself and others. The teachings of God through Jesus should mean something to you. Your time in God's Word should be more than superficial. Your prayers shouldn't be useless repetition. 

Change should be evident.  

The short passage outlined at the beginning of this post really scratches the surface of life change. People's grip on material things was broken. Caring for others was paramount. Being daily in the Word of God was an excited expectation. People wiped out each other's debts so that all could give more freely to others. 

The world's seeing your good works and glorifying your Father in Heaven will take on a deeper meaning. Thinking less of yourself and more of Jesus will be more important to you.

Change. 

All New American Standard Bible Scripture Excerpts used by permission. (C) 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by the Lockman Foundation. A corporation not for profit.