CHANGE
CHANGE
Everyone holds different perspectives on change; many people resist it and even fight against it. It is often said that “people don’t change,” but if that were truly the case, then the Gospel itself would be meaningless. Change is not only possible but required of us as Christians.
Scripture calls us to “put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness” (Ephesians 4:24). This idea of becoming a “new man” is echoed elsewhere: “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new” (II Corinthians 5:17). It is clear that believers are called to be transformed and set apart from the world. However, to fully understand what this transformation entails, we must consider the broader context of Paul’s letter to the Ephesians.
Paul begins Ephesians by reminding the church of their redemption in Christ and the grace by which they have been saved. He writes, “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them” (Ephesians 2:8-10). This final verse is especially significant, as it explains that because we are created in Christ and have become this “new man,” we are called to produce good works. Paul later clarifies that God’s people are not limited to Israel alone, but that Gentiles also share fully in God’s promises: “Gentiles should be fellow heirs, of the same body, and partakers of His promise in Christ through the gospel” (Ephesians 3:6). The revelation of this mystery to Paul was not a departure from God’s plan, but rather the fulfillment of a purpose that had been established as early as Genesis 3:15. Because this plan includes all people, and because Christ died for every individual and desires all to partake in Him, believers are called to be transformed and set apart. This call to become a “new man” mirrors God’s commands in the Old Testament for Israel to be a people set apart from the world.
The remainder of Ephesians (chapters 4–6) describes how the “new man” is called to live in response to what Christ has already accomplished, not as a means of earning salvation. This distinction is crucial. Paul exhorts believers to “put away lying… be angry and do not sin… let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth” (Ephesians 4:25–29). Such behaviors characterize the old man, but believers have been transformed through putting on Christ. Paul further explains what this transformed life looks like within the context of a godly marriage and family (Ephesians 5:22–33). In every aspect of life, Christians are called to imitate Christ, including reflecting God’s spousal and parental relationship with His people.
Change is therefore not only possible, but expected, as God would not command what cannot be accomplished through Him. The apostle Paul himself serves as the clearest example: once a persecutor of Christians, he was radically transformed into an apostle and instrumental in establishing the New Testament Church. Through Christ, Christians are able to break free from sinful habits and grow into faithful imitators of Him.
~Cole LeBlanc