Change is a normal aspect of the Christian life. It starts from day one of getting saved and is a never-ending process until we die or Christ returns. Once we hear the gospel and get saved there is an initial change that takes place where God brings us from death to life, from darkness to light. This is just the beginning, for the gospel must affect every aspect of our life.

How do we change though? What are the means by which God has given us to grow? 1) His Word. We have all we need in the Word of God to grow and change (2 Tim 3:16, 17). 2) His church. The church is the place (a community not a building) where we are encouraged to grow. It is where faithful brothers and sisters spur us on to love and good deeds (Hebrews 10:24). This is where we are discipled, counseled, admonished, encouraged, helped, rebuked and restored (Rom 15:12; 1 Thess 5:14; Matt 18:15-20, 28:19-20; Heb 3:13). 3) His Spirit. Once saved, we are sealed with the Spirit (Eph 1:13) who is the agent of change in our lives. He causes the growth and we can take no credit for it.

The most important thing to remember as we seek to change is the gospel. The gospel is not only needed for salvation, but for sanctification as well. As Rick Thomas says,

“You cannot talk about the Gospel and not talk about change. Change is an understood and expected component of the Gospel. When a man is introduced to and affected by the Gospel, change becomes his life-long companion. I’m not just talking about the life-long change that begins at regeneration, but a comprehensive change process that affects every area of his life.”

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