Hello, Altered Stories Family,
We are now entering into a changing of a season. This is a time when we get to evaluate where we are up to this point, and what we need to do to finish out the year strong. Yet sometimes, changing a season can be hard and brings a lot of emotional baggage. It seems we’d rather talk about how to adapt to changes, which is indeed a good conversation to have, but I’d like to speak about something much more important.
When you become a follower of Christ, you become a new creation. The old has gone, and the new has come.
This change is not based on anything you have done, but on what Christ Jesus has done in you.
We see these changes in how you do things going forward. Your past is no longer in control of how you live. You are no longer subject to the dictates of the sinful lifestyle.
In short, you as a new believer have right standing with God. You are thoroughly and completely changed from the inside out.
The Bible says it this way, I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. Galatians 2:20
Here’s the thing, we do good things like love people and serve. We do this not because we have to earn anything, but because we already have favor with God.
So, don’t feel guilt, or shame, because you don’t do something right. Yes, we are to do what we can not to sin, but because we are God’s kids. We shouldn’t be trying to earn what we already have. This is a massive change in mindset, but I believe that this is necessary to move forward in the Kingdom.
I hope this is encouraging to you.
God bless,
Teresa
