Thursday, June 22, 2017

June 23, 2017

Since you became alive again, so to speak, when Christ arose from the dead, now set your sights on the rich treasures and joys of heaven where he sits beside God in the place of honor and power.  Let heaven fill your thoughts; don’t spend your time worrying about things down here.  You should have as little desire for this world as a dead person does. Your real life is in heaven with Christ and God.  And when Christ who is our real life comes back again, you will shine with him and share in all his glories. Away then with sinful, earthly things; deaden the evil desires lurking within you; have nothing to do with sexual sin, impurity, lust, and shameful desires; don’t worship the good things of life, for that is idolatry.  God’s terrible anger is upon those who do such things.  You used to do them when your life was still part of this world;  but now is the time to cast off and throw away all these rotten garments of anger, hatred, cursing, and dirty language. Don’t tell lies to each other; it was your old life with all its wickedness that did that sort of thing; now it is dead and gone.  You are living a brand new kind of life that is continually learning more and more of what is right, and trying constantly to be more and more like Christ who created this new life within you.” Colossians 3:1-10
The Bible is quite clear that when your heart is changed by faith in Jesus, your habits should change as well.
If you have been a follower of Christ for awhile but are still caught up in the habits of your old life, something is wrong.
Here are some things that must change as evidence you have changed. 
When you became a Christian you were given a new direction! You are to follow in the direction God and His Word leads you! 
Before you knew Christ you were walking away from God and following your own desires. That direction has changed.
When you became a Christian you were given a new destiny! Before you came to trust Christ your destiny was an eternity separated from God in a horrible place called Hell.
But now, as a Christ-follower, your destiny is to be formed into the image of Christ! That includes having habits like Him.
When you became a Christian you were given a new dynamic! The day you trusted Christ to save you you were given the Holy Spirit. 
God's Holy Spirit is the presence of God. So, since you have the Spirit of God you have His presence no matter where you go! You will never be be alone!
Also, God's Spirit is the power of GOD active in your life to enable you to resist temptation when the enemy comes to tempt.
The same power that spoke the universe into existence can speak to your need, your fears, your uncertainty, your confusion and your broken heart.
Don't you think the same power that created you should also be able to change you and your habits?
His power is greater than anything that can come against you or oppose you! Including your habits!
So, if you have received a new direction and a new destiny and a new dynamic don't you think you should develop new habits?
Only God can change your heart but only you can change your habits!