2 Corinthians 5:17 NKJV

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.

A caterpillar scares many of us. Who wants a hairy thing crawling all over them? But the caterpillar goes through one of the most amazing transformations you will ever see, changing from something of beauty, a butterfly. For this transformation to take place, the caterpillar has to die is a sense. Science tells us that the caterpillar digests itself before that transformation can begin. That is the same way we have died so that we can be made new.

The biggest signposts to the world about salvation and the power of God is a changed life. The moment one declares that they are born again, those around him begin to observe how this individual will live their life henceforth because they expect a change.

What’s the point of being born again if you continue on with the same old sinful nature, character, and behaviour as before? Even the world knows that it should not be so, and that’s why they expect a change in your life.

When we get born again, we begin the process of sanctification that transforms us to be more like Jesus. We now live a life that is driven to gratify the desires of the spirit and not the flesh, and the outcome of that should be a distinctly different life than the one we were living before. We should be a butterfly and not remain as a caterpillar.

When Jesus went to the House of Zachaeus, the man was completely transformed, so much so that he shared his wealth with the poor.

Saul of Tarsus was a murderer. When we first meet him, he is present at the stoning of Stephen and from then on, he goes on a rampage, dragging believers from their homes and having them killed. When he meets Christ on the road to Damascus, his life is forever transformed. He becomes an entirely different person, one who is humble and totally sold out to the gospel, even ready and willing to die for it.

When people who knew you before you got born again look at your life, is it a signpost? Do they still see a caterpillar or do they see a butterfly? Is your life telling of the power of Christ to make someone new?

Anyone in Christ is a new creation, the old nature and lifestyle is gone and behold a new nature and lifestyle resembling Christ has come. That is what it means to be a Christian.

Reflections

• What is one character trait about your former life that took a drastic turn after you got born again?
• If someone were to observe your life, what message would they get from it?
• If you were charged in a court of law for being a Christian, would there be enough evidence in your life to convict you?