We Believe We Can’t Be Changed

#25 IN MY CHAPTER-BY-CHAPTER JOURNEY THROUGH ROBERT MCGEE’S BEST-SELLING BOOK, THE SEARCH FOR SIGNIFICANCE

We Only Believe What We See

Our greatest obstacle to experiencing regeneration is that we don’t look different and sometimes we don’t act much differently. As we recognize the results of justification, reconciliation, and propitiation (which we’ve discuss in recent blog postings), we will find it much easier to hold onto the fact that we have undergone regeneration. However, it will come down to whether or not we’re willing to accept what God reveals about our true natures. He is not lying to us, and He is not deceived.

Satan wants us to believe the lie: “I am what I am. I cannot change. I am hopeless.”

God’s Word Is The Only Remedy!

How can you begin to experience freedom from the fear of shame? In this important exercise, be intentional to read and ponder on a few of these passages from the Bible that I’ve provided. If you don’t understand what it’s saying, just move on to the next one. As you find ones that click with you, then take a minute to make notes in your journal that express what you think God might be saying to your heart. There’s no such thing as a wrong answer!

“You are the salt of the earth. But what good is salt if it has lost its flavor? Can you make it salty again? It will be thrown out and trampled underfoot as worthless.

Matthew 5:13 NLT

“You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden.”

Matthew 5:14 NLT

“I am writing to all of you in Rome who are loved by God and are called to be his own holy people. May God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ give you grace and peace.”

Romans 1:7 NLT

“For the sin of this one man, Adam, caused death to rule over many. But even greater is God’s wonderful grace and his gift of righteousness, for all who receive it will live in triumph over sin and death through this one man, Jesus Christ. Yes, Adam’s one sin brings condemnation for everyone, but Christ’s one act of righteousness brings a right relationship with God and new life for everyone.

Romans 5:17-18 NLT

“So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus.”

Romans 8:1 NLT

“And since we are his children, we are his heirs. In fact, together with Christ we are heirs of God’s glory. But if we are to share his glory, we must also share his suffering.”

Romans 8:17 NLT

 This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!”

2 Corinthians 5:17 NLT

“For God made Christ, who never sinned, to be the offering for our sin,^[a] so that we could be made right with God through Christ.”

2 Corinthians 5:21 NLT

“My old self has been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. So I live in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.”

Galatians 2:20

“He is so rich in kindness and grace that he purchased our freedom with the blood of his Son and forgave our sins.”

Ephesians 1:7 NLT

“But God is so rich in mercy, and he loved us so much, that even though we were dead because of our sins, he gave us life when he raised Christ from the dead. (It is only by God’s grace that you have been saved!) For he raised us from the dead along with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ Jesus.”

Ephesians 2:44-6

“For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.”

Ephesians 2:10 NLT

“So you also are complete through your union with Christ, who is the head over every ruler and authority.”

Colossians 2:10 NLT

“And as we live in God, our love grows more perfect. So we will not be afraid on the day of judgment, but we can face him with confidence because we live like Jesus here in this world.”

1 John 4:17 NLT

Because of JUSTIFICATION, you are completely forgiven and fully pleasing to God. You no longer have to fear failure.

Because of RECONCILIATION, you are totally accepted by God. You no longer have to fear rejection.

Because of PROPITIATION, you are deeply loved by God. You no longer have to fear punishment, nor do you have to punish yourself or others.

Because of REGENERATION, you have been made brand new, complete in Christ. You no longer need to experience the pain of shame.

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