LESSON SIXTEEN - Conformed to Christ
HOW DO WE CHANGE to BECOME MORE LIKE CHRIST?
As you read this lesson, be sure to hover over the the Bible verses to read them or look them up in your own Bible. When the Bible passage is longer, you need to click on “more” in the bottom right corner of the pop-up window.
As we trust God and obey His Word, His Spirit will change us moment by moment.
God predestined to conform us into the image of Christ. He is using everything to make us more like Him everyday. Romans 8:28-31 (NASB) Compare translations and the original language
God is using everything and everyone in our past, in our present, and in our future to make us more like Jesus.
God already has changed us permanently by giving us a new nature.
2 Peter 1:2-4 (KJV) Compare translations and the original languageWe will never be the same since we came to Jesus!
Our old nature still puts up a fight even though we are no longer under the law. Sometimes it may feel like we will never change even though God has already given us a new nature. Galatians 5:17-18 (NASB); Psalm 51:3 (KJV); Romans 7:14-25 (ESV) Compare translations and the original language
Sometimes it feels like we will never change but the Spirit of God is the guarantee that one day we will be changed completely.
The Spirit of God changes us as we understand more about Christ. 2 Corinthians 3:17-18 (NASB) Compare translations and the original language
God changes us as we read and obey the Bible every day.
The Spirit of God molds us as we allow His Word to influence our lives. Ephesians 5:17-21 (KJV); Colossians 3:15-17 (KJV) Compare translations and the original language
To be filled with the Spirit, we need to be filled with the Word.
The Spirit of God does not change us by our strength. Galatians 3:2-3 (ESV) Compare translations and the original language
The Spirit of God changes us by His power alone!
The Spirit of God changes us as we submit to Him. Galatians 5:16-18 (NKJV); Galatians 5:24-25 (NKJV) Compare translations and the original language
We must not grieve the Spirit of God by ignoring His conviction in our hearts.
We sin when we give into our evil heart desires. James 1:13-15 (NASB) Compare translations and the original language
We are set free from being enslaved to sin, but our sin nature is still with us.
We must guard our hearts and allow God’s Word to change them. Psalm 4:23 (KJV); Psalm 15:1-5 (ESV) Compare translations and the original language
Thank God that He has given us the ability to change by His grace!
We must know that our sin nature was crucified with Christ. Counting ourselves already dead to the power of sin, we must yield our bodies to God. Romans 6:1-13 (NASB) Compare translations and the original language
We must train ourselves to believe the truth that God has already changed us through Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection. Most of our struggle against sin is between our sinful heart desires and obeying what God’s Word says.
The power of God that raised Jesus from the dead is the same power that can change us. Romans 8:1-14 (ESV) Compare translations and the original language
We have the power of Almighty God at work inside of us! We can change by His grace!
As we read and obey the Bible, God exposes our sin. 1 John 1:3-9 (ESV); John 3:19-21 (ESV); Proverbs 28:13 (NKJV); Isaiah 55:7 (ESV); Ephesians 4:30 (NASB) Compare translations and the original language
When we confess and forsake our sin, God forgives us, and the blood of Jesus washes us clean. If we don’t confess our sins, we grieve God’s Spirit, and we lose the joy of having fellowship with Him even though we don’t lose the free gift of eternal life that He already gave us.
As we memorize and meditate on God’s Word, it changes us.
Psalm 119:11 (NASB) Compare translations and the original languageWe must get into God’s Word so that God’s Word will get into us!
God gives us the desire and ability to change as we fear Him and seek to obey Him. Philippians 2:12-13 (ESV) Compare translations and the original language
We can’t follow God in our own strength. When salvation has occurred in our hearts, we must work it out for all to see.
We must put off our sinful thoughts, desires, and actions, and put on godly thoughts, desires, and actions. Ephesians 4:20-24 (NKJV) Compare translations and the original language
We must develop godly habits to replace the old, ungodly habits.
We must obey God’s Word if we are to change. James 1:21-25 (NASB) Compare translations and the original language
It is not enough to simply read the Bible; we must obey it in order to change.
We must ask God to help us to change. Ephesians 3:20-21 (KJV) Compare translations and the original language
God wants to change us more than we want to change ourselves. Ask His Spirit for help.
Our sin against others affects our prayers and growth. Psalm 66:18 (ESV); James 4:6-9 (NASB); Mark 11:24-25 (NKJV); 1 Peter 3:7-9 (NASB) Compare translations and the original language
God does not honor the prayer that says, “God forgive me for what I am about to do.”We need the encouragement of more mature believers (from church) in order to change. Hebrews 13:7-8 (ESV) Compare translations and the original language
There are believing men and women at church who have learned godly habits that helped them change. Ask them what they have done to change.
We must take God at His Word and believe that He will keep His promises. Hebrews 11:1, 6 (NKJV) Compare translations and the original language
Why would God change us if we don’t believe He has the desire or power to do so?
We must make it our goal to please God and become more like Jesus every day by intentionally putting on the specific character traits of Jesus that we are lacking. John 15:1-11, 16 (KJV); Romans 7:4 (ESV); 1 Corinthians 10:30-33 (KJV); 2 Corinthians 5:9-10 (NASB); Philippians 1:6-11 (NKJV); Hebrews 12:14 (NASB); 2 Peter 1:5-11 (NASB) Compare translations and the original language
God will not randomly change us into Christ. God changes us as we seek to know, trust, and obey His Word. The more we know, believe, and obey His Word, the more we will grow.
Change takes time. We can’t change any faster than what the Spirit of God allows. Proverbs 24:16 (ESV); Romans 12:1-2 (KJV); 2 Corinthians 4:16-18 (NKJV); 2 Corinthians 9:6 (KJV); Galatians 6:7-9 (NASB) Compare translations and the original language
It takes time for the Spirit of God to renew your mind according to His Word. Don’t get discouraged waiting on the Spirit to change you as you obey Him.
When Jesus comes back for us, we will be made completely like Christ and never sin again. Romans 8:11, 18-25 (ESV); Colossians 3:3-4 (NKJV); 1 John 3:1-2 (NASB) Compare translations and the original language
Praise God that one day we will be forever sinless!
Consider memorizing one of the following passages (in whichever translation you prefer) as a summary of this lesson: Philippians 1:6 (KJV) or Philippians 2:12-13 (NASB) or Philippians 3:12-16 (ESV).
There are innumerable false philosophies and religions. Don’t think you need to know everything about others’ views before you share the Gospel.
If you’re worried about speaking inaccurately, don’t. This will happen from time to time. You are not perfect, but God wants to use you as you are.
What is one way God answered your prayer for help while you were in a Gospel conversation?
What Bible verses do you like to use for the 5 truths? (Follow this link: The Gospel)
Be sure as people make a profession of faith in Christ that you explain that nothing and no one can separate them from God’s love in Christ. Also, that is just the beginning. Now, you teach them to follow Christ. Who are you teaching about Jesus right now? Happy Fishing!
Bible References
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