INTRODUCTION

Man does not have to change in order to be saved, but true salvation will always bring about change. Perhaps the change is less noticeable in some, and more noticeable in others, but no change equals no salvation. The change is not always an immediate outward change, but it is a change of nature. A person who trusts Christ for salvation becomes a new creature (Galatians 6:15For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature.
See All...). It would be akin to a dog (Matthew 15:26-27 [26] But he answered and said, It is not meet to take the children's bread, and to cast it to dogs. [27] And she said, Truth, Lord: yet the dogs eat of the crumbs which fall from their masters' table.
See All...) becoming a sheep (John 10:16And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd.
See All...). A new man now dwells within to help combat and defeat the old sinful nature (Ephesians 4:22-24 [22] That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; [23] And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; [24] And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.
See All...). It is not merely the turning over of a new leaf, it is a new birth (John 3:3Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.
See All...) where one is passed from death unto life (John 5:24Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.
See All...).

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHTS

• (For smaller children) The Bible tells of people who changed after they met the Lord. A wicked woman became a witness (John 4:15-26 [15] The woman saith unto him, Sir, give me this water, that I thirst not, neither come hither to draw. [16] Jesus saith unto her, Go, call thy husband, and come hither. [17] The woman answered and said, I have no husband. Jesus said unto her, Thou hast well said, I have no husband: [18] For thou hast had five husbands; and he whom thou now hast is not thy husband: in that saidst thou truly. [19] The woman saith unto him, Sir, I perceive that thou art a prophet. [20] Our fathers worshipped in this mountain; and ye say, that in Jerusalem is the place where men ought to worship. [21] Jesus saith unto her, Woman, believe me, the hour cometh, when ye shall neither in this mountain, nor yet at Jerusalem, worship the Father. [22] Ye worship ye know not what: we know what we worship: for salvation is of the Jews. [23] But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him. [24] God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth. [25] The woman saith unto him, I know that Messias cometh, which is called Christ: when he is come, he will tell us all things. [26] Jesus saith unto her, I that speak unto thee am he.
  See All..., 28-29). Saul the persecutor became Paul the persecuted (Acts 9:1-2 [1] And Saul, yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest, [2] And desired of him letters to Damascus to the synagogues, that if he found any of this way, whether they were men or women, he might bring them bound unto Jerusalem.
  See All...; Acts 21:13Then Paul answered, What mean ye to weep and to break mine heart? for I am ready not to be bound only, but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.
  See All...). Zacchaeus became a cheerful giver (Luke 19:8And Zacchaeus stood, and said unto the Lord; Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have taken any thing from any man by false accusation, I restore him fourfold.
  See All...).
• Have you been born again by the grace of God? What can you point to in your life as obvious changes that have occurred since you believed on the Lord?
• Are you concerned about your salvation? Are you willing to examine yourself (2 Corinthians 13:5Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?
  See All...)? Read The First Epistle General of John. Do you find proofs of salvation in your life?

PRAYER NEEDS

• Ask God to give you light concerning your salvation.
• Ask God to continue to change you for His glory.

HYMN

Amazing Grace

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