EXHORTATION: How Has Christ Changed You?

 “Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: and see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting” (Psalm 139:23-24).

      David loved God. He was known as a man after God’s own heart, not because he was perfect but because his desire was to please God. When David sinned he didn’t make excuses but he repented and asked God to forgive him. Two lessons that every Christian can learn from David are repentance and the desire for God to show us where we need to change our thoughts and attitudes.

    David didn’t wait until he saw a problem in his own ways, but he asked God to search him and lead him away from sin. Our desire to please God should be stronger than our desire to please the world. Jesus will help us all change and become more like Him. He met many people when He walked among men and He changed many lives. Today, He still changes lives.

    When we first come to Jesus, we’re all a little rough around the edges. If we love Him and desire to please Him we will allow Him to search our hearts and help us to change into the Christian He wants us to be.

       Sometimes Jesus went out of His way to bring someone out of their sin. One example took place by a well in Samaria. It was there that He met a woman who was living a very sinful life. After some small talk, Jesus led the conversation to the sin in her life.  If you think that God isn’t aware of the sin in your life or that your sinful lifestyle doesn’t matter, think again. Jesus didn’t condemn this woman, but made her aware of her sin.

       Another time a woman was caught in the act of adultery, and the Scribes and Pharisees brought her to Jesus for Him to condemn her. Jesus didn’t, but neither did He accept her sin and leave her in it. Jesus said unto her, “Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more” (John 8:11).

      Most of us like the part where Jesus doesn’t condemn us for our sin, but we don’t like the part about turning away from that sin. Jesus’ love will change us if we allow it.

     Many people go to religious leaders to seek forgiveness for sin. Only Jesus can forgive sin and change lives. Go to Jesus and let Him change you then “…go, and sin no more.”

    How has Christ changed you? If you claim to be a Christian but your life hasn’t changed since you met Him, maybe you haven’t really met Him. Be like King David and ask Him to search your heart for wickedness. He will lead you “…in the way everlasting.”   NatheleGraham