Perspective Change and Action Modification in Christian Life
Christian life involves a fundamental reorientation of one's perspective and subsequent modification of actions, often described through concepts like conversion, sanctification, and reconciliation. This transformation is not merely a superficial change but a deep-seated renewal of the mind and spirit [3, 6, 9].
The initial turning point is often termed "conversion," which signifies a sinner's turning to God [6]. This involves abandoning former ways and embracing the Christian faith, as seen in biblical examples like the Philippian jailer or Paul himself [6]. Acts 26:18 describes this as having one's eyes opened, turning from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, leading to the remission of sins and an inheritance among the sanctified [2]. This change is so profound that "old things pass away, and all things become new" [6]. Jesus' ministry itself brought a radical change to the status quo, bringing judgment and purifying the righteous [11].
Following conversion, the Christian life is characterized by an ongoing process of "sanctification." This is more than just moral reformation; it is the work of the Holy Spirit bringing the entire person under the influence of new, gracious principles implanted during regeneration [9]. Sanctification aims to perfect the work begun in regeneration, extending to the whole individual [9]. This process involves a continuous transformation of the mind, preventing believers from conforming to the patterns of the world and enabling them to discern God's good, pleasing, and perfect will [3].
The modification of actions is a natural outflow of this internal change. Matthew 3:8 states, "Let your change of heart be seen in your works" [1]. Christian conduct is characterized by believing and loving God, fearing Him, and obeying His commands [8]. It also involves believing in and loving Christ, following His example, and living for Him [8]. This includes living righteously, soberly, and godly [8]. When individuals undergo this transformation, their former acquaintances may find it strange that they no longer engage in the same excesses or with the same companions [10].
Reconciliation is another key aspect, signifying a change from enmity to friendship, which is mutual [7]. In the context of the believer, it refers to a change in the sinner's personal character, where they cease to be an enemy to God through wicked works and instead offer full confidence and love [7]. The apostle Paul urges believers to "be reconciled to God," meaning to set aside their enmity [7]. This reconciliation is distinct from any change in God's disposition, referring instead to God as the party being reconciled to [7].
Hope is an essential element of Christian character, alongside faith and love [5]. It is fundamental to Christian life and designates the essence of Christianity, centering the glory of the Christian vocation [5]. This hope is opposed to seeing or possessing, as believers "walk by faith, and not by sight" [5, 13]. Christ himself is the object of the believer's hope [5]. This hope is cultivated through patience, which works experience or "proof" of one's faith, especially through enduring trials [14].
The transformation in Christian life also involves a shift in perspective regarding how one views oneself and others. Believers are encouraged to consider themselves as Christ's [4]. Furthermore, acts of Christian kindness can lead hostile individuals to repentance and restore fellowship [12]. This comprehensive change—from internal perspective to external action—is central to the Christian journey.
Sources
- Matthew “Matthew 3:8 (BBE) — Let your change of heart be seen in your works:”
- Acts “to open their eyes, that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive remission of sins and an inheritance among those who are sanctified by faith in me.’ -- Acts 26:18”
- Romans “Romans 12:2 (BBE) — And let not your behaviour be like that of this world, but be changed and made new in mind, so that by experience you may have knowledge of the good and pleasing and complete purpose of God.”
- 2 Corinthians “Do you look at things only as they appear in front of your face? If anyone trusts in himself that he is Christ’s, let him consider this again with himself, that, even as he is Christ’s, so also we are Christ’s. -- 2 Corinthians 10:7”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Hope — One of the three main elements of Christian character (1 Cor. 13:13). It is joined to faith and love, and is opposed to seeing or possessing (Rom. 8:24; 1 John 3:2). "Hope is an essential and fundamental element of Christian life, so essential indeed, that, like faith and love, it can itself designate the essence of Christianity (1 Pet. 3:15; Heb. 10:23). In it the whole glory of the Christian vocation is centred (Eph. 1:18; 4:4)." Unbelievers are without this hope (Eph. 2:12; 1 Thess. 4:13). Christ is the actual object of the believer's hope, because it is in”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Conversion — The turning of a sinner to God (Acts 15:3). In a general sense the heathen are said to be "converted" when they abandon heathenism and embrace the Christian faith; and in a more special sense men are converted when, by the influence of divine grace in their souls, their whole life is changed, old things pass away, and all things become new (Acts 26:18). Thus we speak of the conversion of the Philippian jailer (16:19-34), of Paul (9:1-22), of the Ethiopian treasurer (8:26-40), of Cornelius (10), of Lydia (16:13-15), and others. (See [125]REGENERATION.)”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Reconcilation — A change from enmity to friendship. It is mutual, i.e., it is a change wrought in both parties who have been at enmity. (1.) In Col. 1:21, 22, the word there used refers to a change wrought in the personal character of the sinner who ceases to be an enemy to God by wicked works, and yields up to him his full confidence and love. In 2 Cor. 5:20 the apostle beseeches the Corinthians to be "reconciled to God", i.e., to lay aside their enmity. (2.) Rom. 5:10 refers not to any change in our disposition toward God, but to God himself, as the party reconcile”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Conduct, Christian — Believing God -- Mr 11:22; Joh 14:11,12. Fearing God -- Ec 12:13; 1Pe 2:17. Loving God -- De 6:5; Mt 22:37. Following God -- Eph 5:1; 1Pe 1:15,16. Obeying God -- Lu 1:6; 1Jo 5:3. Rejoicing in God -- Ps 33:1; Hab 3:18. Believing in Christ -- Joh 6:29; 1Jo 3:23. Loving Christ -- Joh 21:15; 1Pe 1:7,8. Following the example of Christ -- Joh 13:15; 1Pe 2:21-24. Obeying Christ -- Joh 14:21; 15:14. Living To Christ. -- Ro 14:8; 2Co 5:15. To righteousness. -- Mic 6:8; Ro 6:18; 1Pe 2:24. Soberly, righteously, and godly. -- Tit 2:12. Walking Honestly. -- 1”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Sanctification — Involves more than a mere moral reformation of character, brought about by the power of the truth: it is the work of the Holy Spirit bringing the whole nature more and more under the influences of the new gracious principles implanted in the soul in regeneration. In other words, sanctification is the carrying on to perfection the work begun in regeneration, and it extends to the whole man (Rom. 6:13; 2 Cor. 4:6; Col. 3:10; 1 John 4:7; 1 Cor. 6:19). It is the special office of the Holy Spirit in the plan of redemption to carry on this work (1 Cor. 6:1”
- 1 Peter (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on 1 Peter 4:4: I. Here you have the visible change wrought in those who in the foregoing verse were represented as having been in the former part of their life very wicked. They no longer run on in the same courses, or with the same companions, as they used to do. Hereupon observe the conduct of their wicked acquaintance towards them. 1. They think it strange, they are surprised and wonder at it, as at something new and unusual, that their old friends should be so much altered, and not run with as much violence as they used to do to the same excess of riot, to the same sottish e”
- Luke (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Luke 12:49: 12:49 I have come to set the world on fire: Jesus’ ministry radically changed the status quo, bringing judgment on the wicked and purifying the righteous (see 3:16-17; 9:54; 17:29; Deut 4:24; Amos 5:6; Heb 12:29).”
- Romans (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Romans 12:20: 12:20-21 A simple act of Christian kindness can often bring a hostile person to repentance before God and restore fellowship between people.”
- 2 Corinthians (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on 2 Corinthians 5:7: For we walk by faith, and not by sight. Faith is a grace which answers many useful purposes; it is the eye of the soul, by which it looks to Christ for righteousness, peace, pardon, life, and salvation; the hand by which it receives him, and the foot by which it goes to him, and walks in him as it has received him; which denotes not a single act of faith, but a continued course of believing; and is expressive, not of a weak, but of a strong steady faith of glory and happiness, and of interest in it: and it is opposed to "sight": by which is meant, not sensible c”
- Romans (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Romans 5:4: patience worketh experience--rather, "proof," as the same word is rendered in Co2 2:9; Co2 13:3; Phi 2:22; that is, experimental evidence that we have "believed through grace." and experience--"proof." hope--"of the glory of God," as prepared for us. Thus have we hope in two distinct ways, and at two successive stages of the Christian life: first, immediately on believing, along with the sense of peace and abiding access to God (Rom 5:1); next, after the reality of this faith has been "proved," particularly by the patient endurance of trials sent to”