The Marvelous Change
He Changed My Life 1Pe 2:9
"But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should show forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvelous light"—1Pe 2:9.
But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a dedicated nation, [God’s] own [a]purchased, special people, that you may set forth the wonderful deeds and display the virtues and perfections of Him Who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light. AMPLIFIED BIBLE
A real relationship with Jesus Christ not only changes people, but it entirely changes, the character of the person who knows Him.
2 Corinthians 5:17 says,
Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
When you give your life to Jesus:
Your views, your tendencies, and the actions you take from that day on in your life, there should be actions of change in your life.
Because all things are new. Thank God for the renewal of the life that has been changed through the act of Regeneration.
The literal meaning of regeneration is “born again.”
There is a first birth and a second birth.
The first, as Jesus said to Nicodemus (John 3:1-12) is “of the flesh”; the second birth is “of the Spirit.” Being born of the Spirit is essential before a person can enter the kingdom of God. Every biblical command to man to undergo a radical change of character from self-centeredness to God-centeredness is, in effect, an appeal to be “born again”.
Regeneration extends to the total nature of man, bringing the inner being to life by the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Regeneration changes a person’s desires because this “newness of life” is begotten in the person (Rom. 6:4; 7:6), as well as a right relationship with God in Christ.
Thus, regeneration is an act of God through the Holy Spirit (Titus 3:5), resulting in an inner, personal resurrection from sin to a new life in Jesus Christ (2 Cor. 5:17).
When a person has experienced the New Birth. It should be one of the most joyous occasions in your life. Just to know that God changed your life, from a life of sin and degradation to honor, from misery to happiness, and from "darkness unto His marvelous light."
The late Walter Hawkins put it this way………You gave that I might live. You gave that I might be set free. Exchanged Your life for mine. What a marvelous thing You've done!
Let’s Notice,
Our Condition before we were saved.
Somebody shout "Darkness."
Sin is a work of darkness; satan, is the prince of darkness; and the soul's natural state, before Christ was one of night and darkness.
By Nature we were involved in the work of darkness.
In the darkness of ignorance. That is, ignorance of spiritual things; of God, and his Holiness; of his claims upon us, and our obligations to his Word. We were ignorant of his Son, the gospel, and the Holy Spirit. Ignorant of ourselves, and of the love of God, and of the way of salvation. This ignorance wasn’t just personal to me but it is universal; it covers the hearts of all men and women that are born into this world, doesn’t matter if they are great or learned, or illiterate for that fact. Darkness is the characteristic of the unrenewed mind, in every state and condition, that it is without the knowledge of God.
However when you get saved the Bible says in 2 Corinthians 10:5 that you have the ability to
cast down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and you have the ability to bring into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ.
This word obedience, which is pronounced hupakoe (hoop-ak-oh-ay); Strong’s #5218: it comes from two words, hupo, “under,” and akouo, which means “to hear.” The word signifies attentive hearing, to listen with compliant submission, assent, and agreement. It is used for obedience in general, for obedience to God’s commands, and for Christ’s obedience.
When you walk in darkness the only obedience you know is submission to the devil and the flesh.
2. In the darkness your spiritual allegiance was to satan.
Your soul was is in the prison of Satanic control.
You were a slave of the devil; you were bound with fetters or chains of evil.
This state is sometimes described as "a pit without water," or as David described it "a horrible pit," i.e ., "regions of darkness," "shadow of death."
But thank God that Jesus breaks ev’ry fetter, and He set us free!
3. In the darkness of our wretchedness and misery.
Our souls were overcast with a black cloud of guilt and condemnation. We were condemned already, and the wrath of God was abiding upon us. We didn’t have no hope of future good; no prospect of final happiness.
We were like the way-lost traveller who lost his way! Like the sailor at midnight, who amid the howling blackness of the tempest, who can’t see because he’s being swept out into the sea.
4. In the darkness of spiritual death.
We were dead to God; dead in our trespasses and sins. Under the sentence of eternal death, and daily waiting for the wrath to come.
The way of the wicked is darkness.
They are in Darkness from the beginning, their life becomes darker in its progression and the blackness of eternal darkness in its termination if they don’t receive Christ.
Notice,
II. The Change produced.
When God has "Called you out of darkness into His marvelous light."
It is a change into light.
Into the light of knowledge, freedom, pardon, joy, hope, and eternal life. Your former state entirely cancelled or passed away. There’s a new era of enjoyment and action.
Because you have become, "New creatures in Christ Jesus."
It is a change a wonderful change that God has done.
Now that your saved you must walk in the light, this beautiful light. I challenge you to come where the dewdrops of mercy shine bright I challenge you to let it shine all around you by day and by night, because Jesus is the light of the world!
He's the road out of darkness, The brightest way out. Jesus is the light of the world!
2. Now that you have come into the divine light.
"His" light according to 2 Corinthians 4:6 it says, For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
Conversion is said to be such a dramatic experience that it is best illustrated as light breaking through and overcoming darkness. In fact, creation is the only dramatic event strong enough to illustrate conversion. Conversion is so dramatic that it is like creating something new: a new creature, a new man.
To experience the light of his countenance, and favor and image; the light of fellowship with him; the light of his love and joy; of his peace. It is a wonderful thing that He has done.
It is astonishing and wonderful to the individuals life that has been changed.
A change which they often try to describe but cannot express, the only way they can describe it is that God filled them with joy unspeakable and full of glory.
Talk about Marvelous? It is Marvelous in its influence on the life and character of every believer.
Just to know that we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us. 2 Corinthians 4:7
Listen God’s presence is a treasure, a precious and priceless treasure.
God’s presence is placed into (enters) these earthen vessels.
God enters our bodies that are like earthly vessels made of pottery or glass. They are ever so weak and worthless, corruptible and perishable.
Yet imagine—God’s presence is placed into such earthly bodies!
God’s purpose for entering our bodies is to show His power by overcoming all weaknesses, even death itself.
That “The excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us” this is a picture of the grandeur, the glory, and the preeminence of His power.
It is the excellency, the great and overcoming power of God.
The presence of God in our hearts and bodies has power. It has the power to convert and transform us into new creatures.
“Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new” (2 Co. 5:17).
Not only that but ….. It has the power to convert and transform us into new men.
“And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness” (Ep. 4:24).
“And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him” (Col. 3:10).
It has the power to put His divine nature into us.
“Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust” (2 Pe. 1:4).
It has the power to give us life, both abundant and eternal.
“I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly” (Jn. 10:10).
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (Jn. 3:16).
The point is this: the treasure of God’s presence is in this earthly vessel, this earthly body that is ever so weak and frail but God does so much for us, and it is all wrought by Him.
Therefore, God and God alone gets all the credit, and He is thereby praised because all things are for your sakes, that the abundant grace might through the thanksgiving of many redound or contribute greatly to the glory of God.
As the verse says, the power is of God, not of us.
This change,
3. Is effected by the influence of the gospel.
Romans 10:16-17 says,
But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report? So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
God is calling!
This call is plain, full, free, and, when received by faith, it is the power of God to the salvation of the soul.
In Romans 1:16-17 Paul said,
For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.
The word power (dunamis) means the might, energy, force, and strength that is within God.
The power is “of God,” of His very nature.
As God, He is the embodiment of power; He possesses all power, that is, omnipotent power, within His Being. He can do and act as He chooses.
And that’s just what God did, He has chosen to use His power in a loving way by sending men the “good news,” the power of the gospel of salvation.
Being all powerful, don’t you know that God could wipe men off the face of the earth, but instead He has chosen to give men the good news of salvation.
This tells us a critical truth: that God’s nature is love. He is full of compassion and grace. He is the God of salvation; therefore, He sent the “gospel of Christ” to the world that men might be saved.
So what should we do in Return?
"We should show forth the praises of him who has called us out of darkness into His marvelous light,"
We cannot give God an adequate return, but we can render the return demanded in the text.
We should show forth his praises,
1. By extolling or praising His mercy.
David said, Psalms 40:1-3
I waited patiently for the LORD; and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry. He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings. And he hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God: many shall see it, and fear, and shall trust in the LORD.
David here is describing his experience as sinking in the miry or muddy clay of a horrible pit. Failing to identify his specific circumstance, David only revealed that his life was in danger. Throughout the Old Testament, the pit was used as a metaphor (symbol) of death.
There were a number of situations in David’s life that could fit into this description.
Perhaps it was…
• Saul’s jealous pursuit
• Absalom’s rebellion
• Some other attack by his enemies
• A grave illness or battle injury
• God’s chastening
A bout of depression, despondency, or loneliness.
Whatever the circumstance, David felt that he was gradually sinking to his death. But—just in the Knick of time—the LORD reached down and lifted him to safety. Even more, the LORD planted his feet on a rock—a firm and secure place.
A lot of you found out that Sin will take you farther than you want to go, keep you longer than you want to stay, and cost you more than you want to pay.
A lot of you found out that Sin will Add to your sorrow, Subtract from your joy, Multiply your sorrows, and Divide your heart from God!”
But then too a lot of you have tasted and seen that the Lord is good.
The Lord is good in His benefits, but more than that, the Lord is good in Himself. When we “taste” Him, we are filled. Jesus’ fulfillment and Paul’s fulfillment were not found in lives of ease. They were found in knowing the Lord and doing His will….To lack Christ is to lack everything. To have Christ is to have everything. Thus “those who seek the LORD shall not lack any good thing.”
Psalms 107:8-9 says, “Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men! For he satisfieth the longing soul, and filleth the hungry soul with goodness."
Can you imagine how these people must have felt to be in a condition of total confusion? Not knowing which way to turn and realizing that every hour they were nearer to death? Yet God in His love helped them find their way to a place where there were people and food. He saved their lives! They were redeemed by the Lord from their trouble.
So often we want God in our lives when we are in trouble. But what do we do when we are redeemed? Often those people who have been delivered by God go back to their old way of life!
God really wants to help you experience this Marvelous change in your life.
The psalmist taught the redeemed to:
Offer the sacrifices of thanksgiving
Let them also offer sacrifices of thanksgiving (Ps. 107:22)
Tell of His works in joyful singing, v. 22
“And tell of His works with joyful singing’ (Ps. 107:22)
Be a part of the assembled worship of God’s people
Let them extol Him also in the congregation of the people, and praise Him at the seat of the elders. (Psalm 107:32)
Acknowledge the everlasting goodness and lovingkindness of the Lord.
Oh give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; for His lovingkindness is everlasting. Let the redeemed of the Lord say so, (Ps. 107:1-2)
Like those people in the desert, we were lost, but God helped us find our way.
“For the Son of man has come to seek and save the lost” (Lk. 19:10).
And we sing, “I once was lost, but now I’m found; was blind but now I see
Like those people in prison, we were slaves, but God set us free.
He who commits sin is a slave of sin (Jn. 3:34). “....having been freed from sin, you became slaves of righteousness” (Rom. 6:18).
Like those who were sick, we were wounded by sin but God healed us.
“And He himself bore our sins in the His body on the cross, that we might die to sin and live for righteousness; for by His wounds you were healed” (1 Pet. 2:24).
Like those people trapped in the storm, we were perishing, but God rescued us.
“Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from the wrath of God through Him” (Rom. 5:9).
We have experienced the greatest wonder of all—God has not merely redeemed our life from death, but our soul from eternal death! How great is His lovingkindness toward us!
“In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins” (Eph. 1:7).
When I think of the goodness of Jesus and All that He has done for me, my soul cries out Hallelujah thank God for saving me.
Story has it that there was a man in Scotland who spent the day fishing and stopped at an inn in the evening for refreshments and also for an audience with which to share his stories . As he described the one that got away with the usual hand gestures to indicate the size of the fish, he flung his hands out without watching where they were going. As he did SO, he struck a waitress who was about to set a cup of tea on the table. Well the cup and its contents were dashed against the wall and immediately an ugly brown stain appeared on the white surface. The fisherman was embarrassed and apologized profusely. But one of the
guests got up from the table and said, 'Never mind." He took a pen from his pocket the brown and began to sketch around the spot. Soon there emerged a picture of a magnificent royal deer with huge stately antlers. The artist was Sir Edward Landset, famous painter of animals in England. In a way,that is what God does with us. In our faults and sinfulness we are like that ugly brown spot on the white wall. But God, like the painter, takes us for what we are and makes us into something beautiful.
As the songwriter said, Please be patient with me God is not through with me yet. But when He does....... I shall come forth as pure gold.
"Then when our change comes only then will we be able to tell to sinners around, What a dear Saviour we have found, And point to his redeeming blood, And cry, 'Behold the way to God.'"
Song:
God's got a way (that you can't go over)
God's got a way (that you can't go under)
God's got a way (that you can't go around)
You must come in at the door
You Must come in at the door
He's the way (He's the way the truth & the light)
If you wanna see Jesus (if you wanna see Jesus you've got to live right)
You must be saved (you must be saved from all of your sins)
You must be saved (you must be saved from all of your sins)
Marvel not (you must be born again)
You must come in at the door
You must come in at the door
