The Transformative Power of Faith
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One of the most powerful abilities of Christianity is the way it can transform lives. Even some of the heroes of the Bible engaged in criminal acts or were enemies of God, but were renewed through faith. It’s never too late.
“And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.”
– Philippians 1:6
Very few of us start off in life at our best. For the majority, we began as a work in progress, learning as we go and moving toward our better selves through time and experience.
A student said a teacher once said: “Nobody’s perfect…That’s why pencils have erasers.”
Every life matters. God has a plan for each one of us. We are God’s work in progress.
“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.”
– Jeremiah 29:11
“Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation—if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good.”
– 1 Peter 2:2-3
We aren’t born knowing everything we need to know. God knew we would need guidance, and, existing in another dimension outside of our space and time, He passed his word down to us into the minds of humans, who wrote this vital instruction down in the Holy Scriptures.
“For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.”
– 2 Peter 1:21
The Bible is filled with timeless wisdom that can guide us in improving ourselves. It teaches love, kindness, compassion, respect, humility, sacrifice, and morality.
“Make peace with your past.”
– quote from a motivational poster “7 rules of life.”
To transform your life, you must let go of certain things. Most often, these are things in our past that we cling to. Sometimes it’s something we think we need. Other times it’s the blame we cast on ourselves or others that we view as a barrier to forward progress. To quote the movie Frozen: “Let it go.”
A vital step in moving forward is forgiving ourselves of our past mistakes and forgiving others for harm they may have caused or that we believe they caused.
Begin by acknowledging your mistakes, asking for God to forgive you. Then forgive yourself.
“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
– 1 John 1:9
Next, forgive others.
“And whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone, so that your Father also who is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.”
–Mark 11:25
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation;.”
–2 Corinthians 5:17-18
Today does not equal yesterday. It is a new day, as is tomorrow. Through faith in Christ, you are renewed. Past mistakes are behind you. It’s what you do from this moment forward that matters.
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things, there is no law. And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit.”
–Galatians 5:22-25
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