By Ron Luce
When I was 16-years-old and ran into Jesus, I knew I would never be the same again. I felt the presence of God in the church, and when I gave my life to Him, I went totally fanatical after Jesus with all my heart. I knew I was changed.
I was different and I didn't care what anyone thought of me. I wasn't just convinced in my head, I knew in my heart He was real. I had given my life to Jesus and, as a result, He changed my heart and I've never been the same since.
What I just described does not happen to those who just mentally agree with everything that's in the Bible. They are convinced that being a Christian is really the right way to go because of what someone told them, maybe a preacher or a friend.
But are they converted? Although they agree with everything the preacher says or everything you would tell them the Bible says, you can't look in their eyes and see a radical, fanatical change.
Maybe they haven't really given their life completely over to Jesus.
"You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder" (James 2:19).
Even demons believe that Jesus is alive and real! They're even scared of Him, but obviously they haven't given their lives to Jesus or been changed in any way.
So the question to ask yourself at the end of this week is this, "Do I just believe it in my head, or has Jesus really changed my life? Am I a mental Christian or a changed Christian? Am I cerebral or am I really saved? Am I convinced or converted?"
If you've been convinced because of some preacher, then someone else will come and convince you of something else. If a preacher convinces you to live for God, then the world or peer pressure can convince you not to live for God. The cycle continues on and on. Another revival or evangelist comes along and convinces you to live for God—until the world convinces you otherwise.
It's not a matter of logic. It's a matter of "Jesus is Lord" being so real that you give your life to Him and it totally changes. He changes you from the inside out. You get a brand new heart and a brand new life. You almost can't describe it in human words, because it's a miracle that happens inside of you when you are converted.
This is the idea of being converted: If you convert something electrical from 120 volts to 220 volts, you have converted it to a different power source. When you're converted to Jesus, your power source changes. You're changed on the inside and you have power from God to live your life.
Up to now you may have believed the Bible in your head, but you don't really think your life has been changed. Or maybe you once had that reality in your heart, but the fire has gone out. Now it's just a head trip.
If you know it's true in your head and you want Jesus to change your life, right now is the time to say, "I'm not gonna go one day further without being changed." Slam on the brakes of your life and say, "Jesus, I need You to be real to me. I need You to change my life."
Would you reach down to the deepest part of your heart and pray these words? Make them real between you and Jesus.
Lord Jesus, I'm tired of just knowing in my head that You're real. I need You to change my life. I ask You now to come and take control. I give You every part of my heart, every part of my soul, every part of my mind, and every part of my life.When you're changed forever you won't ever wonder, Did I really get saved? Am I really different? When you meet the living God, you know you are changed.
It's no longer me in charge, but You. Change me from the inside out. Give me a brand new heart. Do a miracle inside of me. I commit to passionately follow You every minute of every day for the rest of my life. You're the Lord, You're the King, You're my boss, and I want no one else. Change me right now. Make me a new person. In Jesus' name I pray, amen.
"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!" (2 Cor. 5:17).
Pause for a second and realize what's just happened in your life. Write down the moment you felt changed and all the changes that have taken place since that time.
Excerpt permission granted by Teen Mania Ministries
