Has the Message Changed You?

“For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ: whose end is destruction, whose god is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame—who set their mind on earthly things. For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body that it may be conformed to His glorious body, according to the working by which He is able even to subdue all things to Himself.”

-Philippians 3:18-21

As we drove through the West Virginia countryside last week, I saw a sign in front of a church that read, “We don’t change the message, the message changes us.”  That prompted me to think of how many people in our culture want to change God’s message by conforming it to their sinful lifestyle.  But Jesus didn’t die so we could remain in our sins.  He died to free us from our sins, to free us from the power of sin.  My question for you today is this:  Has the message changed your life? 

I grew up in church.  As a young boy, I was taught God’s word.  And I had a wonderful example of a praying mother.  I’m grateful for the foundation that was laid in my life.  I believe it has carried me through some hard times.  In many ways, the message formed my character.  Yet, I have still struggled with some things that have not been easy to change.  Sometimes the lack of change can be discouraging. 

It’s great when God changes us instantly.  There was a time in my life, where sometimes I would get so down on myself that I would literally look in the mirror and curse myself.  One night I was walking by my church in Texas, singing quietly.  I wasn’t really focusing on the Lord, just enjoying the peaceful evening.  Suddenly the Holy Spirit came upon me.  I couldn’t get low enough to the ground.  I was on my knees in the gravel, convicted by the Spirit.  In that moment, God made it clear to me that I was not going to curse myself anymore.  I didn’t feel the least bit condemned.  I felt loved by God.  I walked away free, a changed person. 

A week or two after my experience I felt that spirit, what I believe was a spirit of self-hatred, try to come back into my life.  I recognized it immediately and stopped it.  Since that day, I haven’t stood in front of the mirror and cursed myself.  Even though I still get down on myself sometimes, I know God set me free.  In His presence I was changed.    

There are other things in our lives that do not change as quickly or easily.  It is a process.  But we can change.  We are changed “from glory to glory.”  We change by beholding His glory.  II Corinthians 3:17-18 says, 

“Now the Lord is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord.” 

I have a tendency to focus on my problems.  I get discouraged with my own lack of progress.  Or I feel like a failure because I want to change, but struggle to do so.  However, focusing on our problems is not the answer.  Focusing on Jesus is the answer.  We are changed into His image by looking at Him.  We become more like Him, when we fix our eyes on Him.  By faith in Him, we can speak to the mountains in our lives, and see them move!  Thank God, we can be changed by the power of His Holy Spirit!  Today, the message is still powerful.  It still changes ordinary people.  Has the message changed you?

“I say to you, if you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you.”

-Matthew 17:20