Speaker: Dr. Harold J. Sala | Series: Guidelines For Living | Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved.  Acts 16:31

If a caterpillar can crawl up a tree and weave a cocoon around himself and emerge as a beautiful butterfly, why do we think it strange that God can change a human heart and erase the hatred and bitterness of sin, replacing it with love and joy?  This remarkable change, of course, is not psychological; it is supernatural, and the supernatural involves God.

In the third century, Cyprian, a wealthy noble who enjoyed galloping around the city of Carthage in his golden chariot, wrote a letter to a Christian friend saying that he could not possibly conceive of how his life could be changed, mentioning some of the sinful activities which he so enjoyed.  Yet eventually Cyprian become a follower of Jesus Christ.  His life changed drastically, becoming a spiritual leader of the Church.

What happened to him has happened to millions of people and still happens to people today.  How do you explain this remarkable transformation in the lives of people?  The answer goes much deeper than psychology

Jesus talked much about this transformation, and He used such simple terms that it is easy to understand.  He said simply, “I tell you the truth, unless a man is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God” (John 3:3).  Being “born again” spiritually results in transformation.

Some things in life cannot be adequately explained but they can be experienced. Such is this experience which Jesus talked about.  Being born again is not the result of just changing your behavior, nor is it the result of your own goodness.  No, it’s actually your goodness that may keep you from wanting this very experience.  It is much easier for people who have lived lives of great sin to be born again than for good people who are kind, but who are in need of this just as is the worst man or woman alive.

Here are three important steps which can change your life:

Guideline #1:  Acknowledge your need of this remarkable experience.  The Bible says simply that our rebellion against God is sin. It says, “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23).  The first step is realizing that no good work can save you, but you need to say, “God, I need you to forgive me of all of my sin.  I want to have a new life.”

Guideline #2:  Believe on Jesus Christ as God.  The Bible explains, “Though he was God, he [Jesus] did not think of equality with God as something to cling to.  Instead, he gave up his divine privileges; he took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being. When he appeared in human form, he humbled himself in obedience to God and died a criminal’s death on a cross.  Therefore, God elevated him to the place of highest honor and gave him the name above all other names, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue declare that Jesus Christ is Lord.” (Philippians 2:6-11)

Guideline #3:  Choose Christ as your Lord.  The Bible says, “That if you confess with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved” (Romans 10:9). A follower of Jesus is a new person with a new life, free from guilt and fear.

Remember, if God can change a caterpillar into a butterfly, He can change your life.  The Bible puts it, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!” (2 Corinthians 5:17).  If you’re tired of trying to transform yourself, give up today.  God offers to do the work for you, starting with your heart.  You can be a new person today.

Resource reading: John 3:16-21.