When we become Christians, become saved, and become covered by the blood of Jesus, we are no longer the person we were before. A change takes place, and in time (or shortly thereafter!) you can see such a dramatic change. I've been hearing many songs lately that use the phrase, or a phrase similar to "I'm not who I was." I especially find this to be true for me, and have been seeing biblical proof of this statement, and why it is proof of our walk with Christ. I'm such a different person today than who I was two and a half years ago. My relationship with Christ has changed that. And my relationship with Christ keeps changing.
Today, I read these verses: "This I say, therefore, and testify in the Lord, that you should no longer walk as the rest of the Gentiles walk, in the futility of their mind, having their understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God, because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart; who, being past feeling, have given themselves over to lewdness, to work all uncleanness with greediness. But you have not so learned Christ, if indeed you have heard Him and have been taught by Him, as the truth is in Jesus: that you put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts, and be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness." Ephesians 4:17-24. And also, "Therefor be imitators of God as dear children. And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma." Ephesians 5:1-2.
From here, I see that we aren't supposed to be part of the world anymore. After we are saved, we are set apart from the world. We should be different from people who aren't saved. If people can't tell you are a Christian without you telling them, there is something that isn't right. A believer should be obvious enough in his walk with Christ to be noticed as a Christian, but not boastful of that walk. Romans 12:2 says not to be conformed to this world, but transformed by the renewal of our minds!
Probably some of the best verses I've found about being different from non-believers, something that shows we are followers of Christ is in Luke. Luke 6:27-36. I won't write this one out, it's really lengthy, but its the verses that refer to loving your enemy, and turning the other cheek. But also in these verses it speaks about giving to anyone who asks of you, and not expecting things in return. The best phrases in here are from Luke 6:32-34 "But if you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. And if you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. And if you lend to those from whom you hope to receive back, what credit is that to you? For even sinners lend to sinners to receive as much back." Its so powerful to see that yes, we are supposed to be different. And these things aren't natural to people. It is something to be worked at. Who doesn't expect to gain back when lending something to someone else? And is it not easiest to love someone who already loves you back? We are called to be not of this world.
People don't read the Word, they read Christians.
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