Old to New

Scripture Reading: Matthew 18:1-10

Focus Verse: Matthew 18:3  Then Jesus said, "I assure you, unless you are converted and turn from your sins and become as little children, you will never get into the Kingdom of Heaven."

What does it mean to convert something?  In America electricity is 120 volts.  In Kenya electricity is 240 volts.  If I want to use an appliance in Kenya that comes from America, the electricity must be converted, or changed. 

Jesus said, "if you want to go to heaven, you must be converted, or changed.  You cannot stay the same, there must be a change in your life.  The word repent is used in the Bible over 85 times.  It means to change your direction, or to turn from your sin.  If you say you love God, if you say you love Jesus, then there will be a change in your life.  You will begin obeying with the help of the Holy Spirit.

Does that mean when you are saved you completely stop sinning? No, but it does mean that when you stumble and fall, as children do, you repent of your sin.  Christ followers will learn to love the things God loves, and you will begin to hate the things God hates.  My life is different than before I turned to Christ.  I am now running towards the things I used to run away from, and I'm running away from the things I used to run towards.  The old has passed away, and God wants to make all things new in your life.  Become followers of Christ as a small child follows a parent.

Psalm 42:1 "As the deer pants for streams of water, so I long for you, O God." 

Bobby Johnson
Interlocking Ministries