True and lasting change is what we want the transforming blood of Christ to do within us. But, boy, can it be hard. We spend so much time rehashing our past life and falling back into old habits. We allow old wounds we thought well healed to open once again causing so much pain.

1 I appeal to you therefore, brothers,^[a] by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.^[b] 2 Do not be conformed to this world,^[c] but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. (Romans 12:1-2 ESV)

The world will continually exert its desire upon our lives to conform us to what it sees as right. When we break those bonds and seek only Christ we may find even our best friends and family fighting us. The enemy will use everything and everyone around us to make us stumble and fall. And let’s be honest, the old ways are easy and comfortable. But we must fight for ourselves as Christ fought for us on the cross.

Reflect on: The battle between your old self and the new self you wish to put on. Are you making true and lasting changes?