Do people really change? A few years back we marveled at "Extreme Makeover" television series. Houses and people makeovers before our very eyes. How do we account for the popularity of the programming? Perhaps we want to believe people change.
Paul preached transformation! He believed that a person, in Christ, became a new creation. Old things passed away. New things ensued. So he told the Ephesians that people who once stole should now work so that they can give to others. Critical speech could be traded for encouragement of others. In Christ, liars become truth-tellers, speaking the truth in love. And angry, hateful people learn to be kind and compassionate, forgiving others as Christ has forgiven us.
For Paul, at least, the proof was in the mirror. He could never forget that he was a persecutor of Christians before he saw the light on the road to Damascus. He who once hounded Christians to death became a proclaimer of Christ. This is proof of radical transformation.
Marge Caldwell once said in Chapel, "I'm not who I ought to be. But thank God, I'm not who I used to be." How about us? Are we changing? In our attitudes and actions are we growing more like Christ? Today is a good day for transformation to continue, or begin. Christ is able. Are we willing to change?