Change is temporary, transformation through Jesus is permanent.
There are many instances where people wanted to have a change from their messed-up lives and do something to make things straight. However, many a times it so happens that to move away from the old habits is a challenge. There are organisations which help people get rid of their vice habits like alcoholism and drug addiction. Nonetheless, a transformation that is permanent is only possible through Jesus Christ!
How the disciples were completely transformed through the resurrection of Jesus? John 20:19-20 says, When the Lord appeared to them and said “Shalom aleichem” (peace be with you) and showed them his hands and side, they were overjoyed.
It brought the disciples out of their locked room to boldly proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ.They were no more worried about their safety and wanted everyone to know this good news. They looked for opportunities to share the Gospel with others, pray for the sick and work diligently for the furtherance of His Kingdom.
Billy Graham points us on how God can change our lives when we give ourselves to Christ.
When the Holy Spirit hovers over us we will have a new spirit that is from God. He will adorn our inner being with thoughts, words, deeds, character, thought pattern, goals and emotions which are acceptable in God’s sight. When we are in Christ, like a well looked after tree that produces good fruit, we will invariably start producing good fruit.
Luke 6; 43-45, says “For there is no good tree which produces bad fruit, nor, on the other hand, a bad tree which produces good fruit. “For each tree is known by its own fruit. For men do not gather figs from thorns, nor do they pick grapes from a briar bush. “The good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth what is good; and the evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth what is evil; for his mouth speaks from that which fills his heart.
Psalm 1 :1-3 says, Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers. But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers.
Listen how an Ex-Mafia boss got his life transformed through Jesus and became a born-again Christian!
Unchanging God.
As a matter of fact everything else in life undergoes a change. But it says in Hebrews 13:8- Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. So it is best for us to accept Jesus and be in full communion with Him to be part of eternity. As Billy Graham used to say in his messages, “If we are born in this world, we are going to live for eternity- ie. either with Jesus or with satan.” Even though our physical body dies, our soul will live for ever.
John 6: 27 says, “Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. For on him God the Father has placed his seal of approval.”
Billy Graham talks about the unchanging God.