Our tender souls have been embodied by this world’s value system… love those who love you and hate those who hate you, for example (Matt. 5:43). But the believer in Christ must not be governed by the behavior of this world’s system. Once we receive Christ through faith and belief, we are indwelt by His Holy Spirit who begins to change us by guiding and re-shaping our thought patterns, which ultimately governs our behavior. Therefore, by their fruits you will know them (Matt. 7:20).
Our souls begin to gradually change form when our minds and hearts are renewed and reconstructed. New wine must be put into new wineskins, and both are preserved (Luke 5:38). The more we become Christ-like the greater our effectiveness in the body of Christ and in His kingdom. We become beacons of light on a motion sensor, shining in a dark world… when you walk by it, the light come on. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven (Matt. 5:16 NKJV).
Regeneration of the soul is instantaneous at the time of conversion, but transformation takes time and is a steady, continuous effort.
Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God (Rom. 12:2 NKJV).
Shortly after my conversion, the Lord showed me a vision. I was looking at my reflection in the mirror and my facial features began to change. My eyes, nose, ears, mouth, jawbone, and forehead all began to morph slowly one-by-one until my reflection in the mirror was Christ’s. The apostle Paul says, “All believers behold as in a mirror the glory of the Lord and are being transformed into the same image from faith to faith and glory to glory by the Spirit of the Lord” (2 Cor. 3:18).
And I am certain that God, who began this good work within you, will continue His work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns (Phil. 1:6 NLT).
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