Creating a New Me

We all come from very different backgrounds. Some may say they come from a Christian heritage while others have no history of Christianity in their family, and still others find themselves in some variation between the two. The people we minister to also have a variety of backgrounds that we should be mindful of as we seek to direct them in a path of righteousness. The beauty of our walk with the Lord is that He has equipped us very specifically in ways He can use us. Our experiences throughout our life bring us to where we are and have given us very particular knowledge to care for the needs of those in our circle of influence. Isn’t God good?

If asked that question about my Christian heritage I would say on one hand that I came from a very strong one. Both of my parents grew up in the Baptist Church, their fathers were deacons and both made a profession of faith at some point in their childhood. On one side our family was gospel singers and on the other side several ordained ministers.  However, once my parents married they no longer attended church. Apparently even though they didn’t choose to attend themselves they valued our attendance because they would send us children to church sporadically, and when we were often my brother and I would find a church bus and head to church. I can remember one of my earliest memories of being on a church bus was receiving a ten commandment charm bracelet after faithfully attending for ten weeks. I was so excited about receiving it and still own it nearly 38 years later! It was around that time that two men from the church came to my home and explained to me that I was a sinner and my need for a Savior. That is the moment I met Jesus and began a relationship with Him through repenting of my sins and accepting His forgiveness and grace.

The important thing to note is not whether we have a family history of Christianity or church, but whether at some point we have made a decision to surrendered our heart to Christ. The Bible tells us “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….for everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”  Romans 10:9 & 13 (NIV)

This is not just for some but for all. We are all sinners. “If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and purify us of all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:8-9 (NIV)

And as a result our lives should be continually changing. “Create in me a clean heart, O God. Renew a loyal spirit within me.” Psalm 51:10 (NIV)