We can be changed from the inside out

Colossians 2:11-15

When you came to Christ, you were “circumcised,” but not by a physical procedure. Christ performed a spiritual circumcision—the cutting away of your sinful nature. For you were buried with Christ when you were baptized. And with him you were raised to new life because you trusted the mighty power of God, who raised Christ from the dead.

You were dead because of your sins and because your sinful nature was not yet cut away. Then God made you alive with Christ, for he forgave all our sins. He canceled the record of the charges against us and took it away by nailing it to the cross. In this way, he disarmed the spiritual rulers and authorities. He shamed them publicly by his victory over them on the cross.

New Living Translation

The promises we have in Jesus are far greater than merely being let off the hook for the bad things we've done. Being forgiven for doing something terrible is a great thing, and of course God does that.

But this is no mere pat on the head, telling us it is ok, even though it really isn't. God is just, and sin requires punishment. Jesus took that punishment in full, as He was nailed to the cross. Justice is fulfilled, and we are free of any further condemnation.

Our enemy's name, "Satan", means the accuser. He would like nothing more than to remind us of our shame. But when Jesus died and rose again, He shamed Satan instead. The devil can no longer accuse us of anything before God. The Accuser has no power over us any longer.

In addition to all this, there is another awesome benefit to Christ's salvation offer. He actually changes us from the inside out.

A criminal's penalty could be paid for, but who is to say that once he is released he won't commit another, possibly worse, crime? Sadly this happens all too frequently, as dangerous criminals are released from our prisons.

Being set free, being forgiven, does not mean that we will change. We could be set free to repeat our offenses.

But the gift of God through faith in Jesus goes deeper than forgiveness. The sinful nature, that deep down drive toward sin that compels us to do things we know we should not do, is cut out. I have seen it happen in an instant, and I have seen it happen over a period of time. But one thing is certain - if you have truly accepted Jesus as Your Lord and Savior, it WILL happen! The best thing we can do is to anticipate it, ask for it, and cooperate with the work of the Holy Spirit as He gives us the miracle of new life.