Pastor column: Every believer has been radically changed
In the New Testament there are some major differences in what we read in the Old Testament. God’s relationship with His people changes and this change was made possible by the sacrifice on the cross of Jesus, the perfect Lamb of God (John 1:29). God didn’t change but through the work of Jesus every believer has been radically changed.
Nowhere is this relationship with God more evident than in the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7). Jesus is talking more about how He wanted us to become a whole new person. The change is so radical that Jesus would describe it as being “born again” (John 3:3).
First, we’re wanting to do something and God’s wanting us to become something. Jesus wants our relationship with God to be a transformation of the heart and mind. Tt’s all about godly character. In the Old Testament the law was something written on stone tablets. A relationship with God was based on performance — a duty. In the New Testament obedience becomes something you want to do, not what you are obligated to do. It becomes a love relationship with God. The Old Testament law changed what you did; New Testament law changes who you are (John 1:12). You’re different — changed from the inside out. The focus has to do with love and surrender. This is a whole new way of thinking what it means to live with God.
Second, we’re wanting to depend on ourselves and God’s wanting us to depend on Him. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus is talking about something so radically different that it takes total dependence on God to accomplish, not by your own strength or effort. In order to live God’s way, we have to surrender to His way instead of our way. Jesus said, “I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing” (John 15:5). The Christian life is a life of dependence on God. It’s the way of total surrender and that’s radical — to be surrendered totally to the Lordship of Jesus Christ.
Third, we’re wanting to be successful and God’s wanting us to be faithful. This goes against everything our culture believes about success. Jesus said: “I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 18:2-4). Faithfulness comes from a child-like heart — a heart humbled by the presence of God and a heart that heeds the Word of God.
Faithfulness doesn’t look like success in the world’s eyes, but it pleases God, and that’s our only concern. How do we become the changed people of God? Only when we invite Jesus into our hearts as our Savior and Lord. He came to give us life, we must, by faith, choose to receive what He offers.
Rev. J. Patrick Street is the lead pastor of Redeemer Church in Marion. He can be reached at coachpatstreet@gmail.com.
This article originally appeared on Marion Star: Every believer has been radically changed
