Is Real Change Possible?

Frustrated with your New Year's resolutions? Tired of trying to make changes only to realize another failure? Yeah...every honest soul understands the struggle you are facing. Perhaps you are wondering if real change is possible. Can't lose the weight and keep it off...everything tastes soooo good. You just never seem to get enough to eat. You intend to start an exercise program soon, but you never seem to get around to it. You can't seem to get beyond taking out work frustrations on your family. The kids are just being kids, but before you know it you are yelling at them again. They have begun to avoid you.... No matter what you do to stop lying you still find yourself exaggerating and shading meanings to give a false impression. You know it is wrong, but.... Road rage is all too real, and every time you decide to stop something else crazy happens in traffic setting you off again.  ...still get too excited at the kids games...you know it is embarrassing, but the Ref keeps making bad calls against your son's team. Many other scenarios could be added, but these will suffice for now. Well, real change is not easy, but it is possible.

Now think for a moment...can a caterpillar change into a butterfly? Likewise, God has an answer for our questions and perplexities surrounding spiritual changes! Through Jesus Christ every believer is stoaked with change potential! That is correct. Without a single exception, believers can experience significant and substantial changes through faith in Christ.

According to the Apostle Paul, change most certainly is possible! Second Corinthians 3:18,  clearly states, “But we all, with open [unveiled] face beholding as in a glass [mirror] the glory of the Lord, are changed [transformed] into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.” Spiritual change involves a holy obsession with Christ as He is revealed in the Word, and the life-altering power of the Spirit of the Lord within the trusting Believer. It is not so much focused on self, but primarily focused on Christ, the goal of all authentic spiritual formation. We will become like whatever or whomever we focus our concentration and reflection upon. The key to becoming like Jesus Christ is not excessive concentration on self, but on the Lord Jesus Christ. Gaze upon His peerless devotion to the will of God. Study His impeccable character, and meditate upon Christ's holy love for God and humanity. Work out the practical meaning and the many applications of His holy attitudes, aspirations, and actions. Obsession with Jesus Christ will result in becoming more Christ-like. Beloved, this is real change! 

Spiritual changes are supernatural, glorious, progressive—lifelong—transformations realized from the inside out by the Holy Spirit advancing us Believer from one level of the unveiled glory of Christ to the next greater resemblance of Him. This is our journey of transfiguration into that image and stature of Christ (Eph. 4:11-16).  Like the caterpillar’s change into a butterfly begins with an inward metamorphosis that eventually provides external evidence, so it is with our Christlike formation. And what an astronomically glorious change God affects! But how can such a drastic and gracious change transpire?  Well, the power and grace comes from the Holy Spirit of God as we focus on Christ in the Word. So, yes real change is not only possible, but highly probable in genuine Believers. Turn your eyes upon Jesus in the Word!