When we were born again it was our spirit that was reborn, not our flesh (soul and body). “Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see he kingdom of God. Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit” (John 3:3, 5-6; KJV). We need to renew our minds (Rom 12:2) and bring our bodies under (1 Cor 9:27). This is all put another way in Eph 4:22-24 (also see Col 3:9-10). Paul writes about putting off the old man or old nature and lifestyle and putting on the new man or allowing the Holy Spirit and the word to transform us to be more and more like Christ.

We cannot do this in our own strength, we need to come before God in humility and ask his help in emptying ourselves of self and to be transformed into his likeness. Sure, this involves things like controlling lust and anger and watching what we say but we also need to examine ourselves and ask God to show us the things in our core that limit his hand in our lives: pride, ego, stubbornness, rebelliousness, lack of submission, self-seeking, seeking recognition, to mention a few.

I heard a preacher once say that the thing that most struck him about Christians was how little they changed; how superficial their relationship with God was. I don’t think he was being cynical but honest. Wow, this isn’t where I want to be; how about you? God will change us if we let him; but be warned, it can be a painful process. However, the rewards of intimacy with God and growing in him are awesome. Let’s get serious with God. He’s waiting on his church. 

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