"It changed my life" - Part II

In a world filled with people who are looking to "change their lives" - what is the Christian response?

Of course change is exactly what Jesus does to those he calls to belong to him. Among other things he changes:

• Our status before God - we become friends when we were enemies (Colossians 1:21-22)
• Our future destiny - we have a sure hope of heaven - not the awful prospect of hell (Colossians 1:5)
• Our relationship with others - he gives us a new love for our brothers and sisters in Christ and for the lost and needy in the world (John 15:12)
• Our ambitions for ourselves - we want to serve the one who served us, rather than pursue our own plans and pleasures. (Matthew 6:33)

But here's the big difference between the change that Jesus brings and the "life change" that many others seem to be pursuing. Consider this:

Each person should remain in the situation they were in when God called them. Were you a slave when you were called? Don’t let it trouble you – although if you can gain your freedom, do so. For the one who was a slave when called to faith in the Lord is the Lord’s freed person; similarly, the one who was free when called is Christ’s slave. You were bought at a price; do not become slaves of human beings. Brothers and sisters, each person, as responsible to God, should remain in the situation they were in when God called them. 1 Corinthians 7 v 20-24.

Paul is saying this - the change that Jesus has brought about in you is SO BIG, that the details of our circumstances in life are a tiny thing by comparison. What dominates the horizons for those who have not found eternal life in Christ, becomes almost irrelevant to those who have tasted his grace.

The hope and desire of any slave in the ancient world was to somehow work or weave their way to freedom. Paul says this is of relatively little importance - because you already have the most important freedom you can possibly find. By all means take it if it comes your way. But it is no longer the driving ambition of your life. It's no longer what you struggle and strive and hope for. We struggle and strive to serve the Lord wherever we are now. And we have a sure hope of spending eternity in the new creation where all our dreams will be fulfilled.

So when you are offered life changing prizes, surgery, drugs, philosophies or opportunities - the man or woman in Christ is able to say: "Thanks, but no thanks - Jesus has already changed me forever."