Makeover


You must display a new nature because you are a new person, created in God’s likeness – righteous, holy and true. Ephesians 4.24 NLT

At the risk of seeming very shallow I have a confession to make! My most favourite types of TV programmes to watch are the genuine makeover shows and the home improvement makeovers. The people ones are definitely the best. You know, the girl from the chicken farm given a whole new look which she couldn’t afford to give herself; or the guy who has been hiding under a mop of long hippie-style hair and beard for 20 or more years. Suddenly, by the snip of the scissors and the whirr of the razor he is transformed from a “walking bush” into a new person with a handsome face which hadn’t been seen for years. The audience is delighted and the “model” is visibly amazed and pleased with what has been done for them, not to mention the delighted husbands, wives, family members and friends.

Did you know that there is a makeover that takes place – or is supposed to take place – in our Christian life. The Christian makeover is one that affects us from the inside but it should have it’s outworking in how we behave. It is usually not as instantaneous as the TV makeovers because ours is a ‘work in progress’. (Have you seen the T shirt – “Be patient with me, God isn’t finished with me yet”?)

The more we yield ourselves to obeying God’s word, the more change we will see in our lives. The fact that we are a work in progress, however, should never be an excuse for continuing to “live like the devil” as my friend says, and say that we are a Christian. Certainly, just because we have come to Christ for salvation does not mean that all of our behaviour will be Christian. Sadly this is what often gives Christians the label of “hypocrites” by those outside of the church. It gives those who choose not to believe an excuse for not committing their lives to Christ. People in the world know what

Christian behaviour should look like, – that’s interesting, isn’t it! May we not be a stumbling block to those God is speaking to, and wants to speak to, about salvation. Let’s read the verses before our key verse today. …… Since you have heard all about him and have learned the truth that is in Jesus, throw off your old evil nature and your former way of life, which is rotten through and through, full of lust and deception. Instead there must be a spiritual renewal of your thoughts and attitudes. (verses 21 – 23).

Our part is to co-operate with the Holy Spirit in the process of changing us into the likeness of Christ. The key is a change in our thoughts and attitudes. We have to learn to have the mind or attitude of Christ (Philippians 2:5) and this can only come as we study the life of Christ and other scriptures which teach us how a Christian should live. (Romans 12:1-2).This means that we become more and more controlled by the Spirit of Christ and less and less by our own flesh. The difference is like night and day! Listen to this……“When you follow the desires of your sinful nature, your lives will produce these evil results: sexual immorality, impure thoughts, eagerness for lustful pleasure, idolatry, participation in demonic activities, hostility, quarrelling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, divisions, the feeling that everyone is wrong except those in your own little group, envy, drunkenness, wild parties and other kinds of sin….When the Holy Spirit controls our lives, he will produce this kind of fruit in us: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self control.” Galatians 5:19-23.

“What counts is whether we really have been changed into new and different people.” Galatians 6:15

Prayer: Dear Lord, please forgive me for the times I have lived out my life in a way that does not honour you. Help me to co-operate with your Spirit and throw off the old nature and put on the new one so that I become like Christ. Amen.