The hymn writer indicated the transformation people undergo when they come to Christ with these words, “What a wonderful change in my life has been wrought since Jesus came into my heart.” The Bible speaks of that change in a number of ways. It is spoken of in terms of having a new birth. Jesus Himself said, “Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’” (John 3:7). The Bible also speaks of this change in terms of being recreated. “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new” (2 Corinthians 5:17).
In Colossians 3, the apostle Paul spoke of the change that should be ongoing in the Christian’s life using the analogy of changing clothes. Like a garment, we must take off the old way of life (the old man), and put on a new way of life (the new man). The change involves putting off sins (Col.3:5-9), and putting on godly ways of thinking and living (Col.3:10-14). We must make the effort, but we must also be encouraged because God is at work in our lives giving us the ability to change.
Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; 13 for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure (Philippians 2:12-13).
