“If he can make a change in me, He can make a change in you.”

These words from the Cathedrals’ song “He Made a Change” got me thinking this morning. Every true Christian should be able to look back and “see where He brought me from to where I am today.” Even if you prayed the “sinner’s prayer” at four years old, there should have been a transformation if you were truly born again. And I don’t think the changing process ever stops.

“Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you. But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God” (1 Corinthians 6:9-11).

You may be reading that list and thinking, None of that applies to me so I’m good. Not necessarily. What about selfishness and pride? Those are sins people don’t talk about and yet they are some of the sins we are born with that must go. “That’s just the way I am” should not be in a Christian’s vocabulary. If “the way I am” does not please the Father, I must repent and ask God to change my heart so that I can become more like Him.

I am writing to encourage you this afternoon, not to condemn you. If you go to church, hang out with Christians, listen to Gospel music, but you have not been completely changed by the Holy Spirit, ask for His help. Be willing to look at the areas that He shows you and surrender each of those things to Him. I’ve heard stories of people who have been miraculously delivered from addictions and others who had a long, hard road of having to say No when everything in them wanted to say Yes. Regardless of how God answers your prayer, be faithful. Keep your eye on the goal of pleasing Christ and being a witness to those around you. People who spend a lot of time with you see your shortcomings, and they will notice change as well. Then I’ve no doubt they will “see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven” (Matthew 5:16).