Saved Sinners
Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect. Romans 12:2
At my small group meeting yesterday, we had a great time. We are still what I would call somewhat new (new members joined this month and I’ve gotten to know the others for about a year), but we’ve built this great camaraderie. We were sharing our before and after being born again phrases. Some of mine were like this. Before I was feeling I deserved more, but now I am content. Before I was searching for acceptance from others, but now I am accepted by God. These were but several phrases I saved, but the best before and after phrase I heard was someone who said, “Before, I was a sinner, but now I am a saved sinner.” Now pause on that for a minute. It is a subtle statement that only adds one word. Furthermore, who wants to openly say they are a sinner? Actually, I do, but that’s beside the point. But one thing I have learned over my years is that often the most powerful statements end up being the simplest ones. The greatness in that statement is it acknowledges our state of being. There is this common bond that we have with all people whether we are saved or not. We are neither better nor worse than anyone else. But we are saved through Jesus Christ, and that makes all the difference in the world.
Jesus creates true transformative change in not only our life but also the world. In church this past Sunday, we were preached to about being born again and what that transformation process looked like. In one case, it was strictly a moment where they acknowledge that something had changed in their life, and there was little if any emotion tie to it. For me, it was quite different. I remember the tears falling from my eyes as if it were yesterday, and this sudden renewed energy within was telling me that I was not the same person. Whether it was mental, emotional, or a combination of the two, we all knew something indeed had changed within us. Now ask yourself if anything has changed since then. If not, maybe this is a moment to pause and reflect on why that is. If it has, then we want to make sure those changes have been positive and have helped make the world around us better. You see, God did not come into our life to just change us. He came to ensure His will would be done, and our transformation is only but part of the entire story. Ephesians 4:11-12 says, “Now these are the gifts Christ gave to the church: the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, and the pastors and teachers. Their responsibility is to equip God’s people to do his work and build up the church, the body of Christ.” God did not ask us to just learn of Him. Hello? We are to be the living word. Jesus goes a step further saying, “You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.” Does this sound like our transformation goes beyond just us? You bet it does!
Being born again is a calling. Not just a moment in time. Paul understood the transformation is but a steppingstone to bigger and better things. Not the end game. If the world around you does not look like what God would want it to be, we were transformed to do something about it. Therefore, let us move forward being the catalyst to create transformation where we are. Where are you in your transformation? Is God prompting you to make changes around you? My prayer is that we remember that we are not just sinners. We are saved sinners. Amen.