Sometimes people think they need to “get good” before they give their life to Christ. They may be living a life full of choices they know aren’t right – and they mistakenly think they need to clean themselves up before they can turn to Jesus.
Others may expect that the moment they become a Christian – the way they live their life will change instantly. Certainly the lens through which you see life will change, and the Holy Spirit will provide new conviction and discernment that will begin to move you in a new direction.
In that moment – a change of heart will be produced by God’s Spirit within you. (Romans 2:29). In that moment – the good news of Christ resurrected will change your life. (Colossians 1:6). In that moment – the veil is removed and you can see God’s glory and will begin the process of being changed. (2 Corinthians 3:18).
But changing is a process. (Luke 6:47). The first step is to come to Jesus and turn your life over to him. Then, God will place a hunger in your heart for his Word, and as you read it, you will begin to listen to the instructions and examples he gives. And as the Word of God permeates your heart, you will follow it more and more. As this process unfolds in your life – you will begin to produce more and more good fruit from the treasury of your changed heart – made righteous through the redeeming power of Jesus Christ.
“A good tree can’t produce bad fruit, and a bad tree can’t produce good fruit. A tree is identified by its fruit. Figs are never gathered from thornbushes, and grapes are not picked from bramble bushes. A good person produces good things from the treasury of a good heart, and an evil person produces evil things from the treasury of an evil heart. What you say flows from what is in your heart. (Luke 6:43-45 NLT)