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What if everything we have ever done, said, or thought was on display for everyone to see? Would any of us not be ashamed? The
Bible bluntly explains why we have those dirty little secrets, those nasty thoughts we don’t want others to know about, those
things we want to do but don’t because we’d get caught, and ultimately why we desperately NEED change.

“No one is righteous—not even one. No one is truly wise; no one is seeking God. All have turned away; all have become useless. No
one does good, not a single one.” —Romans 3:10-11 (NLT)

But God does not just leave us there and say, “There you are, now good luck with all that.” No, there is hope because God is good.
Jesus’ death on the cross and His subsequent resurrection is something that changed the world (that’s why we’re still talking about
it). It opened up rescue and liberation for us. The resurrection also unleashed the power of God that reverses death – the ultimate
irreversible problem that needs change.

“Yes, Adam’s one sin brings condemnation for everyone, but Christ’s one act of righteousness brings a right relationship with God
and new life for everyone. Because one person disobeyed God, many became sinners. But because one other person obeyed God,
many will be made righteous.” —Romans 5:18-21 (NLT)

With Jesus, we have the promise of new life. When we put our faith in Jesus, God sends His Holy Spirit to live in us and give us a
new start. God promises us that, in Christ, we become a new creation (not just changed, but transformed).

This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!
—2 Corinthians 5:17 (NLT)

Here is the deal; Jesus is the true catalyst of reinvention, not some surge of inner willpower or laundry list of good deeds and
church attendance. No matter what we do on the outside, it will never change us on the inside. Whatever New Year’s resolutions
or life changes we make, without Jesus’ love and power working inside
us, we will always be the same person at our core.

“And I will give you a new heart, and I will put a new spirit in
you. I will take out your stony, stubborn heart and give you
a tender, responsive heart. And I will put my Spirit in you
so that you will follow my decrees and be careful to
obey my regulations.” —Ezekiel 36:26-27 (NTL)

Trying to change by ourselves is a lot like trying to
stick to a diet that only lasts a month because it is
gross and all we want is a dang cheeseburger. It
may have worked for awhile, but eventually we
give up. That is not God’s M.O. Following after
God is like cooking a good-tasting, healthy meal
that makes you realize you don’t even want
cheeseburgers anymore. God provides the food,
we just have to take the time to make a meal of it.
So come in and eat.

A

Lasting
Transformation

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