2 Cor. 5:17

17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

As I read the scripture this morning I concluded that Relationships are often a journey.

Our relationship with God is no different. The beginning of a new relationship with Jesus is often filled with excitement and faith.

The love of God and the presence of the Holy Spirit is new and precious. As God becomes our primary relationship, our life is shaken up, re-arranged, and shifted.

Keep in mind that Changes in our outer life occur for two reasons.

The first is an outward change that an expression of the transformation that has occurred in our hearts.

The fact that we are a new creation in Christ is manifested in our lives.

The other change is made in effort.

The effort required to change our natural behavior can only be sustained in a state of pursuit and passion.

Both forms of change are beneficial, it just another reminder that we should always passionately pursue the Lord and the Holy Spirit.

Ultimately, the only change that lasts is the change that comes from transformation.

Unless the changes we start in effort truly become who we are, they stay in effort and in our own human strength.

When strength fails, who we are in Christ remains.

As we accept the identity of Christ, all areas of our life change to manifest this new identity.

It is a lasting change that is not maintained by effort, but rests in the identity of Jesus.

May your life reflect the transformational power and identity of Jesus more each day
Blessings

🙏🙌🙌🙏🫶