For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. ”
John 3:16
Hey, Ya’ll! I’ve really missed you guys! It’s been a whirlwind for the last year. Time seems to be speeding up and before you know it, days, weeks and months have gone by. I hope you’re well in all that you’re doing (feel free to let me know in the comments). I’m glad to be back giving you encouragement and hopefully, some direction, hope, and a few laughs on your walk in Christ. That’s precisely the reason I’m writing this post now, to encourage and empower you on your way. A couple of days ago, I visited with an old friend and she began telling me about her recent decision to cultivate her relationship with Christ! I was ecstatic for her! And my excitement was then tied to a balloon and anchored to the ground as she began speaking on her assumption of what that big moment would look like versus the reality. She was confused at how “unchanged” she felt and our conversation is the inspiration for this post. Just in case someone out there feels the same as my friend, I’m here to share with you a few reality checks when it comes to living a life in Christ.
Why do I feel the same?
When we think of “getting saved” most of us, tend to think of being drawn to the altar at the end of service to give our life over to God. While surrounded by clergy, family, and friends with tears in your eyes and hugs to spare, you’ll be miraculously changed into a sparkling, shiny, and righteous being before you leave the building.
While there is surrender, instantaneous change isn’t a part of the plan. You don’t change immediately after choosing to follow Christ. You’ll still have the same issues, temptations, difficulties, and worries you had moments before your decision; but don’t think of that as a sign that your salvation isn’t active. This is a major concern for those new in Christ because we know that He washes our sins away, aligning us with the Father but we tend to think that He will numb us from the temptation of sin or that He’ll put up a wall blocking us from doing what we want and if we feel any slight attraction toward anything sinful, we’re hellbound and unclean.
In Christ, the temptations and habits that we participate in have now become an enemy to our closeness with Him and we must make a choice every. single. time. Do we do what we want or what He would want for us? This is where we’ll discover change occurring in us through the Holy Ghost. The longer we spend in Christ, the more we are able to recognize how much our choices impact our relationship with God, ourselves, and each other. As time passes you’ll see how the change you once questioned at the beginning is now evident. True change occurs over time and using your free will to choose Him develops your trust and shapes your heart to adopt the mind of Christ.
Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.
Romans 12:2 ESV
Despite feeling the same, your decision is proof of a change that’s happening within you and it will continue to grow. After all of this, what am I saying? Simply this:
Don’t worry about quitting every sin immediately, that’s for the Holy Spirit to help you resolve. If you could do it with your own willpower, you wouldn’t need God.
WE ALL NEED GOD.
Not having an overwhelming emotional response to receiving salvation doesn’t mean it didn’t happen, that you’re faulty or it isn’t legit.
Sin will always be present and you will fall to it throughout life, but you don’t have to be a slave to it.
Christianity isn’t about avoiding sin, it’s striving to maintain closeness in Christ knowing you have a savior.
Being a Christian has nothing to do with immunity from pain, difficulty, or temptation.
You’re doing great, but if you believe you could do better, go for it!
Most importantly: “ because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” Romans 10:9 ESV
Grow in grace and stay in God. This is just the beginning!
aerielwynnell.com 
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