The Change ME Challenge (January Edition) by Pastor Keith Martin
âThis means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!â (2 Corinthians 5:17)
This text is a part of the second letter written by the Apostle Paul to the church in Corinth, one of the churches he founded. The church was located in this large, influential city in Greece. Those that attended this church had the challenge of âletting goâ of their old lives to live a life representing Jesus Christ. Paul spent a lot of time writing about how those who have been converted to Christianity should conduct themselves as citizens of Godâs kingdom. This was a unique challenge because the culture of the city of Corinth was wicked and heavily influenced by idolatry and other immortalities of the day. Through my studies of the scriptures and the letters of the Apostle Paul, my observation is that the church in Corinth and the city that it was located in was probably the best example of the modern day church; operating in modern day society.
Through writing this letter to the local church leaders, the Apostle Paul challenged the church to be âambassadors for Christ.â (5:20) âHe wrote in verse 17 that anyone that lives for Christ, accepted Him in their heart, and who is identified as a believer is a ânew person!â Other translations says ânew creationâ or ânew creature.â Old sinful, worldly ways and desires are gone and now we live a NEW life in Christ! As the Apostle challenged the church in Corinth, I present to you the same Word-based challenge in 2019 and beyond. God wants us to change for the better. He is the source of inward change. If we sincerely seek God and ask Him to âChange ME,â He is faithful to do what we ask. God will not only change your inward man, you will see change in EVERY area of your life. For âif my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.â (2 Chronicles 7:14) Let this be our year of DIVINE CHANGE!â
Our prayer: âLord, I come before your presence asking for You to search ME. I am not satisfied with my relationship with You. I want to know you deeper. I want to walk closer to you. Lord, I want know you better. I am more hungry and thirty after your righteousness than I have ever been. Everything that is inside ME that gets in the way of being closer to you, I ask that you take it away. I want to be the ânew creationâ you desire of me. Lord, CHANGE ME! In Jesusâ Name!
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