Ever say to yourself?: Change, I don't need to change, I'm fine the way I am!!! Really? Ask a few people who will be honest with you and you will probably hear some answers that will surprise and perhaps even offend you.
Moral behavior, lifestyle changes and attitude are sometimes hard things to change, but for Christians, change is an absolute necessity! Why? Well, to be like Christ of course!!!
OK, what should I change? For the answer to that, lets go to Paul's letter to the Colossians...
Colossians, Chapter 3 (World English Bible)
1 If then you were raised together with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated on the right hand of God. 2 Set your mind on the things that are above, not on the things that are on the earth. 3 For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ, our life, is revealed, then you will also be revealed with him in glory.
5 Put to death therefore your members which are on the earth: sexual immorality, uncleanness, depraved passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. 6 For these things’ sake the wrath of God comes on the children of disobedience. 7 You also once walked in those, when you lived in them; 8 but now you also put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and shameful speaking out of your mouth. 9 Don’t lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old man with his doings, 10 and have put on the new man, who is being renewed in knowledge after the image of his Creator, 11 where there can’t be Greek and Jew, circumcision and uncircumcision, barbarian, Scythian, bondservant, or free person; but Christ is all, and in all.
12 Put on therefore, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, a heart of compassion, kindness, lowliness, humility, and perseverance; 13 bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, if any man has a complaint against any; even as Christ forgave you, so you also do.
14 Above all these things, walk in love, which is the bond of perfection. 15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body, and be thankful. 16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly; in all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your heart to the Lord.
17 Whatever you do, in word or in deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father, through him.
Our Motivation
(vss. 1-4)
Paul begins some motivation. Be like Christ, because you desire to be the best possible Christian you can be (by being pure). Therefore, you earnestly desire to be with Christ in heaven. You became a Christian and acknowledged Jesus as LORD, so fulfill your commitment.
"Put off"
(vss. 5-9)
Now, for the hardest part, Paul lists things we should not do (see also Galatians, 5: 16-21). As he puts it- things to "put off". In a word- SIN! Christians should not tolerate a life-style of sin for themselves and encourage their fellow brothers and sisters to stop sinning as well. These things are not meant to judgmental, but rather an encouragement to be like Christ!
"Put on"
(vss. 10-13)
We don't live our lives in a vacuum, if we remove something in our lives and don't replace it, then that which is removed will eventually return. What to put on? Again Paul gives a list (once again, see Galatians 5, this time vss. 22ff.) And once we have begun to do this, we should be very careful of our attitude- its all to easy to have a "holier that thy attitude", so be understanding and encouraging to others, not fault-finding. (Compare Matthew 7:1-5 with John 7:21-24)
Aim for the highest
(vss.14-16)
Aim for the highest of all- love. And be at peace in yourself and others. How? Well, as you read and study God's word, God will teach you in ways that are beyond description. And when you worship your love will pour forth from the depths of your being as you sing, which will encourage not only yourself, but fellow Christians as well!!!
A condensed solution
(vs.17)
What would Jesus do? Do this! Verse 17 is a short description of a lifestyle that defines Christianity. Want a little longer version? Take some time and read what is commonly called Jesus' "Sermon on the mount" Matthew, chapters 5-7. Still to long? then read Matthew 5:1-16 (commonly called the beatitudes)!
Tolstoy had it right: "Everyone thinks of changing the world, but no one thinks of changing himself"
Let me add but one thing- Christians should!!!