Beech Tree News Network

 When reading about Christ, I am impressed with how Christ changes people’s lives. For example, when Christ chose twelve men to be His apostles, He told some: “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men” (Matt. 4:19-21). He later would turn these fishermen into mountain-climbers (Matt. 17:1)! On another occasion, Jesus met a man possessed with devils, and changed him from one who “wore no clothes … had not lived in a house, but among the tombs …. he was … bound with chains and shackles; but he would break the bonds”, to someone who was “sitting at the feet of Jesus, clothed, and in his right mind” (Lk. 8:27, 29, 35). In addition to this, we see that when Christ went to a funeral, He would raise the dead (Lk. 7:11-16; Mk. 5:41-42;  Jn. 11:43-44; etc.). There was a definite change in those folks!

We also see that people changed when they heard and obeyed the words of Christ. For example, we read that some Corinthians had been, “sexually immoral ... idolaters ... adulterers ... men who practice homosexuality ... thieves … greedy ... drunkards ... revilers, and swindlers” (I Cor. 6:9-10). What happened to them? They heard the gospel, believed it and obeyed it (Acts 18:1-8; I Cor. 6:11)! Christ changed them! In the book of Acts, we read about the conversion of the Ephesians (19:1-7). They were also changed, and what a change! They were changed from “dead” to “living” (Eph. 2:1)! Note the degree of the change in their lives: “You were at that time separated from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world. But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ” (Eph. 2:12-13). What a change had taken place in their lives! This change was a result of the relationship they gained in Christ when they were baptized for the remission of sins (Acts 19:5; Gal. 3:27).

 “Change” is the very essence of repentance (A change of mind that results in a change of life)! Christ called for men to repent while He was on earth (Matt. 4:17; Lk. 13:3). Too, when the apostles took the gospel to the world, they demanded men repent of their sins (Acts 2:38, 3:19, 17:30,  19:19, 26:20). Regardless of their background, folks changed when they came in contact with the words of Christ.

It is no different today. If we will be Christ’s, we must change. He demands it! We must repent of our sins and be baptized in order to be saved (Acts 2:38). We must also continue to change and mold ourselves to the image of Christ. The apostle Paul taught: “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed …” (Rom. 12:2).

 “Change” can be difficult. Yet, Christ changes us, and it is a change for the better! We will be better in many areas of life when we accept what the Lord has said and follow Him (Col. 3:17; I Pet. 4:11) instead of following our own ideas as to how best to run our lives. Will you allow Christ to change you?

You are invited to visit with the Caneyville Church of Christ. Times of services:  Sunday 10:00 a.m., 10:45 a.m., 5:00 p.m.; Wed.: 7:00 p.m. Website: http://caneyvillechurchofchrist.com.

Tune into our radio program on WLBQ 1570 AM at 8:30 a.m., Monday through Friday.   Questions? Call (270) 589-4167

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Jarrod Jacobs lives in Butler County and preaches with the Caneyville Church of Christ in Grayson County.