Change Has Occurred

Evangelist Dr. Bob Sanders
POSTED: September 1, 2006
www.drbobsanders.com

As September broke into the mountains of East Tennessee, it did so with change. The previous month was hot and dry. In August, Glenda and I had traveled to the mountains of West Virginia. We then made our way down to the flat lands of Georgia and Alabama on the way to the coastline of Louisiana. August lived up to its reputation as being hot and dry month. I got to cut back on the grass cutting and tried to find shade on a regular basis. As August gave way to September, change came with it! As Glenda and I made our way home, we could see the popular trees changing color on Clinch Mountain. The rich yellow was a sharp contrast to the deep green of the oaks and pines. Arriving in late afternoon, the temperature had dropped and I found it very comfortable relaxing on the front porch as I looked through the mail. The yard needed mowing, but the recent rain made it too wet to mow. When the darkness covered the landscape, I moved inside were I cut off the air conditioner, opened the windows and turned on the fan. The next morning I returned to the porch with a hot cup of coffee and found the temperature to be in the mid-sixties. After going by to see my mother, I returned to a yard that still needed mowing. I accomplished mowing most of the yard before running out of gas. In this case the term “gas” has a dual reference! Morning found me in the studying writing. Looking down I see the grass stained boots I wore to mow the yard. At the same time I feel the cool temperatures of the approaching fall season. The sharp contrast between these two objects reminds me that “change has occurred.” One season has given way to another. This reminded me of a passage of Scripture written by the Apostle Paul, II Corinthians 5:17. “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” In the text Paul reminds the Corinthians believers that “change has occurred.”

(I) The Opportunity of Change – “if any man”

The word “any” means he that, whether any, and whosoever. I rejoice in the open invitation of God to all men. Listen to the words of God Himself, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16). God cannot be blamed for men and women who choose to spend eternity in the lake of fire. Not only is that man guilty of sinning against God, but guilty of rejecting the cure for that sin. People do not get saved because they do not want to get saved. The opportunity is there.

(II) The Origin of Change – “be in Christ”

The change does not occur because of anything man has done or is doing. The change occurs because of a birth experience. “Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever” (I Peter 1:23). “For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive” (I Corinthians 15:22). When Christ died, we died with Him. When Christ was raised from the dead, we were raised with Him to walk in the newness of life. Christ is the One that makes the difference.

(III) The Outcome of Change – “he is a new creature”

The word “new” refers not so much to age, but new in freshness. Because of lifestyles previous to salvation, some changes will not be as radical as others will. There will be some difference between a small child raised in a Christian home and that of a middle aged individual saved out of the tavern. If there be no contrast at all, it may be the result of no change in nature. When speaking to His disciples in preparation for His crucifixion, Jesus made reference to this change. “If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you. If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you” (John 15:18-19).

(IV) The Operation of Change – “old things are passed away”

Paul said of the change, “old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” The original begins to perish or go away and there is a generating of the new. I rejoice in one word especially, “all.” The change does not just occur in some areas of our life and leave other areas unaffected, but every aspect of our lives is touched by the power of the indwelling Christ! Nature depicts one’s action. Peter said, “The dog is turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire” (II Peter 2:22). Not only will this change affect every area of our life, but also it is a process that will continue through our entire life. Peter said, “But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ” (II Peter 3:18).

The coming of September reveals to us that change has occurred. The coming of Christ into the hearts and lives of men reveal to us that change has occurred. It is this change that not only makes a witness for Christ, but the degree of change determines the quality of that witness. “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven” Matthew 5:16). Has the change occurred in your life?