Many of us are familiar with the phrase, “God’s still working on me.” God begins his work on us the moment we’re born, and he keeps working until our last day on earth. Although we instantly become a new creature in Christ when we’re born again, the transformation process of renewing our minds takes a lifetime. We’re sanctified and righteous when we become God’s children, but it takes a bit longer to really understand the enormity of it.
This transformation was made possible by the resurrected Jesus. We are changed from the inside out, but this change is determined by how we interpret his word. “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15). The truth is readily available to us, but it only benefits us when we study it from the perspective of his grace.
Jesus allowed his body to be broken on the cross and his blood to be shed, not because we deserve it, but because of his grace toward us. It’s an act of faith to examine and reflect on what he did instead of our own deeds done through self-effort. Each time we share communion together, we deliberately remember the last meal Jesus had with his disciples before his crucifixion. “And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me. After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, this cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me” (1 Corinthians 11:24, 25). God tells us we’re holy because of Jesus, and we must always remember who we are in him.
The prevailing mentality around us is that people won’t, or can’t, change. This is true for those who choose not to believe what the gospel of grace says, because change is uncomfortable and painful. God calls us to leave our comfort zone and follow him, but we need the guidance of the Holy Spirit to do this. “But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you” (John 14:26, NKJV).
Salvation is available to everyone. All we need to do to live a life that is pleasing to God is to reach out and accept this gift by faith. “For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. It teaches us to say ‘No’ to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age” (Titus 2: 11, 12, NIV). Our belief makes us heaven-ready.
God will continue to work in us and through us if we give him free rein to do so. Miracles happen and we are changed from sinners to saints when we examine Jesus instead of ourselves. The removal of guilt without any self-effort is something most people don’t understand. “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death” (Romans 8:1, 2). This is a cause for celebration!