Jesus Changes Everything. How Often Do We Forget?

When I haven't done a good job of reminding myself of Jesus' transforming power, the testimonies of new believers give me a real-life picture.

By Liberty McArtor Published on March 5, 2018

A few weeks ago my church held a celebration weekend, when members get baptized after sharing their testimonies.

They ranged in age from elementary school to middle age. They came from loving homes, difficult backgrounds and party lifestyles. And they all testified how, thanks to Jesus, their lives had changed. They were able to forgive deep hurts. Finally break free of old habits and addictions. Overcome suicidal thoughts. They sometimes wept as they recounted the ways God had been faithful in pursuing them, providing for them, and ultimately bringing them into his Kingdom.

Events like celebration weekend are vital. Not just for the new believers, but for the entire church.

Lukewarm

Celebration weekends like the ones at my church are powerful. Not because they are flashy or particularly entertaining. In fact, such services often go long and stomachs start to growl as one new believer after another shares their story and gets baptized. They’re powerful because they remind those of us sitting in the pews just how powerful Jesus is.

Many of the people in the pews are like me. We were saved at such a young age, the Christian life is all we’ve ever known. Others were saved so long ago it feels like another lifetime. As we begin to take Jesus for granted, we become vulnerable to the lukewarm faith we’re warned about in Revelation 3.

When you surrender your life to Jesus, he truly does change everything.

I’ve definitely been guilty of lukewarmness. Of living as if nothing really changed when I surrendered my life to the one who died for me and rose again. But in reality, everything changed.

Instead of being enslaved to my mistakes, I’m now empowered by the Holy Spirit to overcome them. Instead of being weighed down by shame, I have been made new and blameless in God’s sight. And instead of eternal damnation when I die, I can look forward to an eternity in the presence of my Lord and Savior.

So why do I get so distracted with things that don’t matter? Why do I neglect to share the life-saving gospel with those in need? How can I forget to be grateful for the best blessing of all: salvation?

Because I fail to remind myself of what Jesus has done for me.

Remind Yourself

Thankfully, the Bible includes multiple verses for combating this forgetfulness. Though they span centuries of events from the Old Testament to the New, their message is simple and consistent: remind yourself.

In Deuteronomy 6, we’re told to constantly remind ourselves of God’s commands:

Teach them repeatedly to your children. Talk about them while sitting in your house or walking on the road, and as you lie down or get up. Tie them as reminders on your forearm, bind them on your forehead, and write them on door frames of your house and on your gates. Deuteronomy 6:7-9

In Psalm 77, the psalmist determines to remember, even in the midst of distress:

I will remember the deeds of the Lord; yes, I will remember your wonders of old. I will ponder all your work, and meditate on your mighty deeds. Psalm 77:11-12

In 2 Peter 1, the Apostle Peter emphasizes the importance of reminders:

Therefore I intend always to remind you of these qualities, though you know them are are established in the truth that you have. I think it right, as long as I am in this body, to stir you up by way of reminder … I will make every effort so that after my departure you may be able at any time to recall these things. 2 Peter 1:12-15

A Real-Life Picture

I love celebration weekend at my church, because it jolts me out of my routine. When I haven’t done a good job of reminding myself of Jesus’ transforming power, the testimonies of new believers give me a real-life picture.

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Their stories of coming out of darkness into light, their heartfelt expressions of gratitude, their declaration of belief as they’re baptized before a congregation of fellow believers all serve as that needed reminder. When you surrender your life to Jesus, he truly does change everything.

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