EXTREME CHANGE

Colossians 1:21-22 And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled in the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight:

Jeremiah compares man to either a heath in the desert or a tree planted by the waters (Jer. 17:5-8). There is a big contrast between tumbleweeds and strong fruitful trees. The man who trusts in man and whose heart departs from the Lord will be like a heath in the desert and live in an uninhabitable, dry wilderness. The man who trusts in God shall be as a fruitful tree whose leaves remain green even in times of drought.

In the above verses from Colossians, we see that before we trusted Christ as our Savior that our works were wicked, and we were alienated from God. We were even considered enemies of God. Once we trust Christ as our savior, we are reconciled with God, and He begins the process of cleaning us up. Jesus seeks the lost; He seeks sinners; He died for sinners. God delights in changing sinners. The Apostle Paul uses similar language in is letter to the Ephesians:

Ephesians 2:11-12 Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands; That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world: Ephesians 2:13 But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.

Isaiah 1:18 Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.

Think where you would be if you hadn’t trusted Christ as you Savior. We have much to be thankful for. What are some changes in your life that you can thank God for? What still needs to change. Don’t settle halfway. Let God continue to produce fruit in you and make the changes that need to be made. We are no longer tumbleweeds. Jesus has drawn us close to Him! He changes us!

Ron Cox – Director of HOPE Ministry