This past week at WW, the technique was about Change Identity. We will be finding out MORE about our change identity from a Biblical standpoint. Simply put, true, enduring change is a result of being transformed by the renewing of our minds, in Christ, the Word. Real change is brought about through understanding our identity in Christ. He, is our change identity! Romans 12:1-2, “I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.”
There is a lot to talk about when it comes to change. We usually think of change as something difficult that we attain through much striving and human effort, but this verse indicates that there is a better way – God’s way – which is accomplished by Him changing the way we think. When that happens, this passage says that you will know God’s will and that it is “pleasing and perfect”. We must commit our bodies to God in this process, which He helps us to do, by His mercy. Doing so is actually worship. One amazing thing about God is that He never asks us to do anything that He doesn’t make provision for us to do. He always helps us to accomplish it, and the things He asks are for our benefit. If we look at the steps in those two verses, we can see a cooperative fellowship that is mutually edifying.
– It all begins with God’s mercies – His compassion toward us – to help us begin the process.
– We present our bodies as a living sacrifice to God. Seems reasonable, since He created them, and redeemed them. They are already His twice over! He’s the one who made them holy and acceptable! We don’t have the ability to do that. It is only by His power.
– In acknowledging that our bodies belong to Him, through what Jesus did, we are worshiping God.
– We refuse to be conformed to the world.
– We renew our minds and are transformed. It’s not explicitly stated here, but mind renewal occurs in response to abiding in the Word. God’s Word changes our minds through His power versus our struggle.
In WW’s dealing of this topic of “change identity”, we are offered a cognitive behavioral change approach, we are told to identify how we view change itself. Do we embrace it or resist it? Do we feel capable or incapable? There is truth in this approach, which simply put is, “change your thoughts, change your behavior”. However, it is lacking the proper foundation of God’s absolute Truth about how we change, and what we are to think. The focus is on us striving, versus resting in Him. We are to abide in His Word, which says, “For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.” Philippians 4:13 Believing God on this single thing can change everything. If we believe that our answers lie in Him and in His Word, then we will seek there, and apply what it says. We all have the strength we need for change – in Christ!
In the past, change felt like a burden to me – especially in regard to my health, eating and activity. I was weary of fighting, and losing, the same battles over and over again. Matthew 11:28-30, “Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.”
Jesus did not put qualifiers in that invitation to “come”. It does not matter what has us weary or burdened, the promise Jesus gives us is rest – when we come to Him and take His easy yoke and light burden! If you are tired and burdened all the time in this journey, then you have not fully come to Jesus in the journey. Together, we are going to do just that. When our change is in Christ and through Christ, it can actually be an easy and joyful process!
Man’s way says to focus on the behavior that you want to change; change how you think about it, and eventually, through much effort you can change you. God’s way says to focus on the One who changes everything, abide in His Word, and allow Him to produce a harvest of transformation in your life! Cooperating with God and His plan sounds far preferable to constantly battling our flesh.
Ephesians 4:21-24, “Since you have heard about Jesus and have learned the truth that comes from him, throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life, which is corrupted by lust and deception. Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes. Put on your new nature, created to be like God—truly righteous and holy.”
Ephesians 3:14-20, “When I think of all this, I fall to my knees and pray to the Father, the Creator of everything in heaven and on earth. I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit. Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong. And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is. May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God. Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think.“
Colossians 1:6, “This same Good News that came to you is going out all over the world. It is bearing fruit everywhere by changing lives, just as it changed your lives from the day you first heard and understood the truth about God’s wonderful grace.”
True transformation is a work of God in us, by His Spirit and His Word. It happens as we come to Him, trust Him and experience His love. It happens when we receive His word as the seed that it is to bring forth the fruit of change in our lives. Take a look at the promises, just in these two passages, of what results from trusting Christ.
– Your roots grow down into God’s love to keep you strong!
– You experience His love.
– You are made COMPLETE with all the FULLNESS of LIFE and POWER that comes from God!
– His mighty power works in us to accomplish INFINITELY MORE than we might ask or think!
– The Good News bears fruit by changing lives!
There is so much MORE to discuss, but I am going to stop here for today. Here are some questions to ponder, considering just the few passages of Scripture that I have shared.
(1) What does the Word say about change? Who does the changing and how?
(2) Often part of this journey is feeling defeated, helpless and weak, but what does God’s Word say?
(3) What are your thoughts on “change identity” in light of the Word?
(4) Can you think of other Scriptures that apply?
Everyone is going to be at a different place in the knowledge and understanding of the Bible, but the process for abiding in the Word is the same for all of us. We need to be in it daily. Become more and more familiar with it and watch for how it will change you.
