In the past few years, television has made a market out of makeover shows. There are home makeovers, yard makeovers, furniture makeovers, and even people makeovers. These makeovers all deal with the exterior changes that the eye can see. As a Christian, I experienced the greatest makeover possible. It started on the inside, moved to the outside, and changed my destiny forever!
It all starts with a new birth. A spiritual birth on the inside that can’t be seen, but can be felt. When Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews came to Jesus by night to ask how he could enter the kingdom of Heaven, Jesus responded that he must be born again. Nicodemus didn’t understand, so Jesus explained that he must be born of the spirit.
John 3:3-6 “Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter the second time into his mother’s womb, and be born? Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.”
This new birth is gained by grace through faith. Peter describes it in I Peter 1:3, as “begotten again.” We are a new person from the inside out. In Colossians 3:10, we put on the new man and God gives us knowledge of himself. Before Adam and Eve sinned mankind had perfect knowledge of God. We were endowed with knowledge, righteousness, and holiness. However, after sin entered mankind was no longer born with a relationship with God.
Colossians 3:10 “And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him:”
Before our makeover, we were an enemy of God. In Romans 5:10, Paul says we were enemies of God before we were reconciled to Him by Jesus’ death on the cross. In John 15:15, we are called God’s friend, not His enemy. In John 15:16, Jesus explains that He chose us, and with that comes the privilege of going to Him and petitioning Him on our behalf. As the friend of Jesus, His disciples are allowed to know why He is about to leave them.
Romans 5:10 “For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.”
John 15:15-16 “Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knows not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you. Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.”
This makeover also makes me a saint! A saint is one who has been sanctified, meaning set apart for a purpose. We are no longer a sinner doomed to Hell, but a saint becoming fit for the Kingdom of Heaven.
Romans 1:6-7 “Among whom are ye also the called of Jesus Christ: To all that be in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ.”
My makeover changes everything. I become a new creature. I see things from a different perspective. Life is no longer about what I want, but it is lived to please God. My language changes, my attitude changes, the activities I engage in change, and even the way I look changes. I no longer want to fit into this world because I have a new home waiting for me. As Paul states in II Corinthians 5:17, the things of my past pass away and all things become new.
II Corinthians 5:17 “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.”
My makeover will be complete when I enter Heaven. While I’m living here, Jesus will continue to change me to be like Him. As a Christian, my goal is to not be conformed to this world, but to the world where I will live forever. As I feast on God’s word my mind will be renewed. As I study, pray, and seek to obey, my body will become a living sacrifice, a holy sacrifice, acceptable to God.
Romans 12:1-2 “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.”
I look forward with great anticipation to hearing Him say “Well Done” thou good and faithful servant. Until then I’ll embrace the changes to make this makeover complete.
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