You believe in Jesus and welcomed Him as your Savior.  But, how did Jesus change you?

How do you know you’ve been made new?

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new” 2 Corinthians 5:17

You met Jesus in a way that’s uniquely yours. Whether you accepted Him years ago or just a few seconds ago, you’ve been made new.

But what changed? You don’t feel or look very different.

Don’t be afraid to ask questions. It doesn’t mean your doubtful, you just want to understand your purpose, right?

So, what does it mean to be a new creation?

Well, let’s go right to the source … God’s word. A few points of focus may help you understand the essential details surrounding the moment you spoke with your heart and accepted Jesus.

1. Reconciliation

There is no way we could be connected with God unless He chose to reconcile us to Himself.

God created this world perfectly. When sin had overtaken His creation, He chose to bring His children back to Himself through Jesus Christ.

“Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation, that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation” 2 Corinthians 5:18-19.

Reconciliation is not to reject us for our mistakes, but to love us and give us a chance for redemption through Him. Without God choosing to bring us back to Him, we wouldn’t have the chance at eternal life through Jesus.

In the same way God graciously gave us Jesus, we give the message of Jesus to one another.

Through our character of joy, love, peace, longsuffering, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control, all of these are the fruits that show God’s Spirit of reconciliation.

Kindness toward someone tells them they aren’t rejected but accepted. Especially if that person is someone who’s difficult. I know there’s one person that just popped into your mind … that’s the person He may be calling you to reach.

Without Jesus, it’s just too hard for us. We have gifts that He amplifies, but He is the One that works in us to reach people in ways we can’t.

2. Change

You may have known about Jesus for a long time. Maybe you struggled with really believing He was the Son of God.

But, the moment you said you accept Him as your Savior, you admitted something to yourself and to God.

You confessed with your heart that you are not perfect and make mistakes, but you aren’t justifying them with excuses.

You recognized you have sinned against God. You realized that your forgiveness is possible through Jesus Christ, His Son.

It’s different saying it with your heart, because you can easily go through the motions without having the Holy Spirit in your life otherwise.

For example, confession, going to church, even doing charity … you can do all of that without truly knowing Jesus.

Confessing with your heart is the circumcision Paul talks about in Romans 2. Physical circumcision was an outward expression of devotion to God. But saying it with your heart is a deeper bond with God.

Jesus changes your heart.

What’s in your heart is secret. But, God knows the deepest parts of you.

And that’s what He’s interested in seeing changed.

As a nurse, I can tell you that when a patient is sick, we always treat the symptoms but look for the underlying cause.

Such as, someone may be coughing or feverish, but fixing the root of the problem is what will ultimately make her better.

Changes need to come from the inside out. This is true for your body and your spirit.

Jesus said “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance” Luke 5:31-32.

Once you accept Jesus, He lives within you. You have His Helper, the Holy Spirit, to guide you with your everyday decisions.

You’re a new person, a changed person.

As a result, once you confess with your heart, you start sharing it with the world through the fruits of the Holy Spirit.  

Jesus says you can’t put new wine into old wineskins or they will burst and be spilled. Well, you can’t be the same person you were once you accept Jesus as your Savior. It’s like putting old wine into new wineskin …

You are different.

3. Purpose

When you are a new creation in Jesus, your heart is His tablet, where the gospel message of Jesus Christ is written.

His church is not a building. It’s His people who believe and accept Him. Your body is your temple of worship.

The words written in your heart are from the Holy Spirit of God.

Your greatest witness for Jesus is the fruit you give to other people.

Kindness, gentleness, faithfulness, longsuffering, joy, peace, goodness, self-control, and love are the fruits that show Him you are His disciple.

You can’t sway people into thinking like you. God has a special relationship with every one of His children.

Just like someone couldn’t sway you into truly accepting Jesus with your heart, you can’t do it either.

But, once He lives within you, He will start molding you to do His work.

He is the Potter and you are the clay.

The moment you believe in Jesus the closer you are to being centered on the wheel. He starts working in you to mold you in the wonderful purpose He has for your life in Christ.

He pulls you toward differeing things. He calls you to reach people.

You are His vessel to help as many people as He can.

You’re not conformed to the world anymore, but transformed by the renewing of your mind.

You are free, and know the truth.

Jesus believes in you. 

Do not believe the lie that you can’t do what God calls you to do.

In Christ, you can.

God bless you!

Please share in the comments one way Jesus has changed your heart.