Some of you may remember the old television show, “kids say the darnedest things” with Art Linkletter. The show was aptly named, for those kids really did say things that made you think about human nature. This picture is just like that: It makes ME think how God changes you; you do new things, think in new ways, interact with others differently – the old stuff, well, you simply do not live like that any longer. The Bible says…
2 Corinthians 5:17 ( World English Bible )
[17] Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old things have passed away. Behold, all things have become new.
What things? Well, the Bible has a lot to say about that, but lets just look at a couple of lists.
Galatians 5 ( WEB )
[16] But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you won’t fulfill the lust of the flesh. [17] For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, that you may not do the things that you desire. [18] But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. [19] Now the works of the flesh are obvious, which are: adultery, sexual immorality, uncleanness, lustfulness, [20] idolatry, sorcery, hatred, strife, jealousies, outbursts of anger, rivalries, divisions, heresies, [21] envyings, murders, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these; of which I forewarn you, even as I also forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the Kingdom of God.
Galatians 5 ( WEB )
[22] But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faith,* or, faithfulness [23] gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law. [24] Those who belong to Christ have crucified the flesh with its passions and lusts.
[25] If we live by the Spirit, let’s also walk by the Spirit. [26] Let’s not become conceited, provoking one another, and envying one another.
The Bible refers to the way we live as a “walk”. We can either do what we want to do without regard to consequences or try to please God. The first is an “anything goes” lifestyle and the life that wants to follow God is “walking by the Spirit”. Compare the lists, think about the consequences, both now and forever. Make a choice, but be careful, this earthly life won’t be forever.
One more thing… Jesus said:
Matthew 19 ( WEB )
[13] Then little children were brought to him, that he should lay his hands on them and pray; and the disciples rebuked them. [14] But Jesus said, “Allow the little children, and don’t forbid them to come to me; for the Kingdom of Heaven belongs to ones like these.”
You know – The longer I look at that picture, it just makes more and more sense to me! I thank God every day for what he has done in my life.
Goodbye pumpkin patch!
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