You’ll experience your best life through a changed life using (guided by) God’s free gift, the Holy Spirit, your personal helper!
Revised: Wednesday, May 17, 2023
Changed Life: Experience Your Best Using God’s Free Gift
STM Bible Study Summary
The focus of this Bible study is to help you know your life will change when you are born again. You learn to be more like Christ. Just as in the natural when you were born—new to this world, you had to learn all things. In the same way, at first you were new to the spiritual world and had to learn to do all things to please God.
- Jesus said to the Pharisees and Sadducees in Matthew 3:8.
- Do those things that prove you have turned to God and have changed the way you think and act. (GW)
- KJV: Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance:
Think about this:
Sadly for many, the only thing that become new is that they start attending worship services and might add God or Jesus to their vocabulary. But nothing else changes. Hopefully this Bible study will help you examine your life and make the right adjustments!
Key Points:
1. Experience your best life
- You can experience your best life with Christ. Learn to revise your life, for example I was convicted by the Spirit to change the way I dressed, my hair was long and permed so I cut it. My clothes were right for partying and the street-life but not for a holy life. The music I preferred was R&B and jazz, since it did not glorify God, I got rid of it. And that was just the beginning, my life changed for the good and is still getting better!
- Ephesians 4:21-24
- Since you have heard about Jesus and have learned the truth that comes from him, 22 throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life, which is corrupted by lust and deception [bad habits; selfish me-first ways]. 23 Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes. 24 Put on your new nature, created to be like God—truly righteous and holy. (NLT)
- KJV: If so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus: 22 That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; 23 And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; 24 And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.
2. You can be God’s friend
- Did you know that if a person is not a born-again believer, they are God’s enemy!
- 2 Corinthians 5:16-21
- From now on we don’t look at anyone from a human point of view. Even though we once viewed Christ this way, we don’t do so any longer. 17 That’s why anyone who is in Christ is a new being—what was old is gone, the new has come! 18 God did all this by changing us from enemies into friends through Christ. God gave us this same work of changing his enemies into his friends. 19 For God was in Christ, bringing the world back from hostility to friendship with him, not counting anyone’s sins against them, and giving us this message to change his enemies into his friends.
20 So we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God is pleading through us: “Please, won’t you come back and be God’s friend?” 21 God made Jesus, who never personally sinned, experience the consequences of sin so that we could have a character that is good and right just as God is good and right. (FBV)
KJV:
- Wherefore henceforth know we no man after the flesh: yea, though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now henceforth know we him no more. 17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. 18 And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; 19 To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.
20 Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God. 21 For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.
3. Prove that you have changed
- It is important that our lives show that we are better, as a born-again believer (BAB) than we were as an ungodly sinful person (USP). In fact, Paul advised all to do things (live a life) that prove that they have changed (repented and are improving their lives with the Holy Spirit’s help).
- Acts 26:20
- Instead, I spread the message that I first told to the Jewish people in Damascus and Jerusalem and throughout the whole country of Judea. I spread the same message to non-Jewish people. Both groups were expected to change the way they thought and acted and to turn to God. I told them to do things that prove they had changed their lives. (GW)
- KJV: But shewed first unto them of Damascus, and at Jerusalem, and throughout all the coasts of Judaea, and then to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, and do works meet for repentance.
4. Power (ability) to change
- When you receive the indwelling Spirit of God you get the power (ability, “self-control” [one of the attributes or fruit of the Spirit]) to make life changes in many ways. So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won’t be doing what your sinful nature craves. Galatians 5:16 (NLT)
- Acts 1:8
- “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes into your life. You will tell about Me in the city of Jerusalem and over all the countries of Judea and Samaria and to the ends of the earth.” (NLV)
- KJV: But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.
Have you had a changed life experience? If not, you are missing your best life made possible with the help of the Holy Spirit. In other words, has your life changed since you became a born-again believer? How much have YOU changed or have YOU? Is it for the good of others and yourself?
Definition of change
To cause to be or become different or unalike (the spiritual you is not like the natural you). When you change you transform or transition from one state, condition or phase to another. A changed life effects you as you reverse a previously held opinion, character/personality, way of living, acting, responding, talking, etc. Your desire to please God drives you to alter (modify, adjust or correct) your way or character. You behave in a different/good way.
Ultimately, your conduct conforms to do things right (i.e., in a way that pleases God). Please continue reading this.
Transformed or Changed Life Experience
Elements of a changed life for the good or ‘good changes’.
Begin to live a Christ-centered changed life; have you made this change? It is your choice.
- Romans 6:20-22
- For when you were [once] slaves to [the practice of] sin, you were free from [being controlled by] righteousness. 21 What benefit did you receive at that time from doing the things you are now ashamed of? For the end of such behavior is [spiritual] death. 22 But now, since you have been freed from [the practice of] sin and have become slaves to God, the benefits you receive are a holy life [here] and never ending life in the future. (AUV)
- KJV: For when ye were the servants of sin, ye were free from righteousness. 21 What fruit had ye then in those things whereof ye are now ashamed? for the end of those things is death. 22 But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life.
Some of the proving things we should do
Of course this is not a to-do list but is meant to provide guidance for our transition to living holy.
Do all things to please God
- 2 Corinthians 5:9
- Our only goal is to always please the Lord, whether we are living here in this body or there with him. (ERV)
- KJV: Wherefore we labour, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him.
Strive to do all things to bring glory to God.
- 1 Corinthians 10:31
- So, whether you eat, or drink, or whatever you do, do everything to bring praise (glory; honor) to God. (WE)
- KJV: Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.
Change the words we use and what we talk about
- Colossians 3:8
- But now rid yourselves [completely] of all these things: anger, rage, malice, slander, and obscene (abusive, filthy, vulgar, insulting, or cruel) language from your mouth. (AMP)
- KJV: But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth.
Live a life of hope and Spirit-led purpose
- 1 Corinthians 14:26
- So, brothers and sisters, what should you do? When you meet together, one person has a song, another has a teaching, and another has a new truth from God. One person speaks in a different language, and another interprets that language. The purpose of whatever you do should be to help everyone grow stronger in faith. (ERV)
- KJV: How is it then, brethren? when ye come together, every one of you hath a psalm, hath a doctrine, hath a tongue, hath a revelation, hath an interpretation. Let all things be done unto edifying.
- Colossians 1:27
- God decided to let his people know just how rich and glorious that truth is. That secret truth, which is for all people, is that Christ lives in you, his people. He is our hope for glory [sharing in God’s glory]. (ERV)
- KJV: To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:
Think about and do spiritual things
- Romans 8:5-8 and 13
- People who are ruled by their desires think only of themselves. Everyone who is ruled by the Holy Spirit thinks about spiritual things. 6 If our minds are ruled by our desires, we will die. But if our minds are ruled by the Spirit, we will have life and peace. 7 Our desires fight against God, because they do not and cannot obey God’s laws. 8 If we follow our desires, we cannot please God.
13 If you do, you will die. But you will live, if by the help of God’s Spirit you say “No” to your desires. (CEV) - KJV: For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. 6 For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. 7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. 8 So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God. 13 For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.
God’s free gift and repentance
John 3:5-8
- Jesus answered: “What I’m about to tell you is true. No one can enter God’s kingdom unless they are born with water [physical birth] and the Holy Spirit [spiritual birth]. 6 People give birth to people. But the Spirit gives birth to spirit. 7 You should not be surprised when I say, ‘You must all be born again.’ 8 The wind blows where it wants to. You hear the sound it makes. But you can’t tell where it comes from or where it is going. It is the same with everyone who is born with the Spirit.” (NIRV)
- KJV: Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. 6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7 Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again. 8 The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.
Luke 24:46-49
- He said to them, “It is written that the Christ would be killed and rise from death on the third day. 47-48 You saw these things happen—you are witnesses. You must tell people to change their hearts and lives. If they do this, their sins will be forgiven. You must start at Jerusalem and preach these things in my name to all nations. 49 Listen! My Father has promised you something [the Holy Spirit]; I will send it to you. But you must stay in Jerusalem until you have received that power from heaven.” (ICB)
- KJV: And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behooved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day: 47 And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. 48 And ye are witnesses of these things. 49 And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high.
Bible Translation Variations Compared for Luke 5:32
- Luke 5:31-32
- KJV: And Jesus answering said unto them, They that are whole need not a physician; but they that are sick. 32 I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.
The phrase “Turn to God and change the way you think and act” in the God’s Word Translation and Names of God Bible is replaced by the following words or phrases in other Bible revisions / versions / translations:
- “Repentance” is used most often in translations or revisions based on the Latin Vulgate and King James Version. [AMP note: to change their old way of thinking, to turn from sin and to seek God and His righteousness] AMP, ASV, DAR, ESV, HCSB, KJV, LEB, Mounce, NASB, NIV, and NKJV
- “Change their hearts and lives” – CEB, EXB, and NCV
- “Repent” – GNT and NLT
- “Be sorry for their sins and to turn from them” – NLV
- “Change the way they live” – ERV
- “Turn to God” – CEV
- “Stop doing wrong things” – WE
- “Changed life, changed inside and out” – MSG
- “Turn to God from your sins” – CJB
- “Change their ways” – Phillips
- “Turn away from their sins” – NIRV
New Life in Christ
- 2 Corinthians 7:8-10
- If my letter made you uncomfortable, I’m not sorry. But since my letter did make you uncomfortable for a while, I was sorry. 9 But I’m happy now, not because I made you uncomfortable, but because the distress I caused you has led you to change the way you think and act. You were distressed in a godly way, so we haven’t done you any harm. 10 In fact, to be distressed in a godly way causes people to change the way they think and act and leads them to be saved. No one can regret that. But the distress that the world causes brings only death. (NOG)
- KJV: For though I made you sorry with a letter, I do not repent, though I did repent: for I perceive that the same epistle hath made you sorry, though it were but for a season. 9 Now I rejoice, not that ye were made sorry, but that ye sorrowed to repentance: for ye were made sorry after a godly manner, that ye might receive damage by us in nothing. 10 For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death.
Adjusting to a new life in Christ
Many things help us live a changed life in Christ. When reading the Scriptures, let the words minister to you, let them show you where change is needed. I get so much help from the word of God in continuing to adjust to my changed life.
Christ set the example for us to follow; He gave His life for us; follow Christ’s example.
- John 15:12-13
- This is My commandment: that you love one another [just] as I have loved you. 13 No one has greater love [no one has shown stronger affection] than to lay down (give up) his own life for his friends. (AMPC)
- KJV: This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you. 13 Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.
Study Bible notes
- The Life Application Study Bible notes on James 2:18 says:
- “A genuine Christian will have a changed life.”
- Maybe you reckon, “Some people can believe in Jesus, and other people can do the good things that Jesus says to do.” I answer you like this, “If you don’t do the things that Jesus says, you can’t show me that you believe in him. But whenever I do the good things he tells me to do, I show you that I do believe in him.” (PEV)
- KJV: Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.
- Ryrie Study Bible notes on Matthew 3:8
- “Repentance is a change of mind that bears fruit in a changed life“.
- Do the things [Produce the fruit] that show you really have changed your hearts and lives [that prove your repentance; a conscious decision to turn away from sin]. (EXB)
- KJV: Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance:
- Nelson’s NKJV Study Bible notes on Romans 6:4“If the believer’s identification with Christ means being identified with His death, then it logically follows that the believer also identifies with Jesus’ resurrection. Having died and having been raised with Christ, the believer should live a new kind of life..“
- By being baptized, we were buried with Christ into his death. Christ has been raised from the dead by the Father’s glory. And like Christ we also can live a new life. (NIRV)
- KJV: Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.
Change is a vital part of living for Christ, that is if you want to be saved.
4 keys from Ephesians 5
Ephesians 5:1-21 covers so much; I decided to do something different. Please read all the verses. After careful review of many translations/revisions, I break each into sections and give definitions and words with like meanings. Please refer to the reference scriptures at the end of each section. Verses 1-4 offer key elements of living a new life in Christ—a changed life:
1. Be followers (imitators) of God [do as God does; be like God; copy God, follow God’s example] – Ephesians 5:1
- Do as God does. After all, you are his dear children. (CEB)
- KJV: Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children;
2. Walk (live) in love (charity) [live a life led by, filled with and full of love]; let love control your life – Ephesians 5:2
- Live in a loving way, just like Christ loved us and gave Himself up [to die] for us as an offering and fragrant smelling sacrifice to God. (AUV)
- KJV: And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour.
3. Avoid sexual sins, greed, and – Ephesians 5:3
- So don’t sleep with somebody that is not your own wife or husband, as if you are married to them. And don’t be greedy, wanting lots of money and things. You are God’s own people, so don’t even think about doing bad things like that. That’s not the way for God’s people to live. (PEV)
- KJV: But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints;
- sex before marriage aka fornication; sexual immorality (unfaithful/cheating; unwed stimulation or fulfillment of sexual desire; prostitution; pornography, incest, promiscuous {loose / casual sex; having more than one sexual partner}, etc.)
- extra-marital affairs aka adultery; for detailed information please go to this article “Adultery – A destructive Sin”
- NOTE: It is sad to see articles like this article in the New York Times, “Adultery, an Ancient Crime That Remains on Many Books“. Is adultery, like homosexuality and other sins, now considered ancient? Has God’s way of looking at things changed to keep pace with what is popular or the accepted way of living? Let the people of God cry out and take a moral stand. God’s word has not changed nor should our understanding of His word change.
- Uncleanness (impurity; lust {uncontrolled appetite}; indecent {impolite / rude; lewd; licentious}; evil); seems to be more appropriately applied as a carry-over from the law.
- Covetousness (greed {strong desire to have more than needed [material wealth]; ‘America’s Disease is Greed’}; envy; never satisfied, always wanting more; avarice {uncharitable [mean, unkind, hurtful or cruel], materialism / materialistic [money-oriented, worldly or selfish]}). Read Matthew 6:20; Romans 7:7; 1 Corinthians 6:10; James 2:14-17; 1 Thessalonians 2:5; 2 Timothy 3:8; 1 Peter 2:3 and 14
4. Filthiness (shamefulness {embarrassment}; wicked {very wrong or bad}; disgraceful; obscene {x-rated or offensive} stories or language {profanity or cursing}; spiritual corruption {vice or evil}) – Ephesians 5:4
- Nor should there be cursing, foul language, vulgarity, ugly comments, coarse joking, or rumor spreading—these are all evidence of a heart filled with selfishness and evil. Instead, speak words of praise and thanksgiving, and reveal that God’s love is in your heart. (Remedy)
- KJV: Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks.
- foolish (silly and corrupt; without understanding) talk. Read 1 Corinthians 3:19 and 15:36
- jesting (scurrility {abusive language}, coarse, filthy or vulgar jokes) [mentioned only once in the NT, obviously only a problem with the believers in Ephesus]
Our Lord is patient
- 2 Peter 3:14-16
- Dear friends, we are waiting for this [the promised new heaven and new earth] to happen. So try as hard as you can to be without sin and without fault. Try to be at peace with God. 15 Remember that we are saved because our Lord is patient. Our dear brother Paul told you the same thing when he wrote to you with the wisdom that God gave him. 16 Paul writes about this in all his letters. Sometimes there are things in Paul’s letters that are hard to understand. And some people explain these things falsely. They are ignorant and weak in faith. They also falsely explain the other Scriptures. But they are destroying themselves by doing that. (ICB)
- KJV: Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless. 15 And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you; 16 As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction.
Using God’s Free Gift (God’s Spirit)
- Romans 8:12-14
- So, brothers and sisters, we have no obligation to live the way our corrupt nature wants us to live. 13 If you live by your corrupt nature, you are going to die. But if you use your spiritual nature to put to death the evil activities of the body, you will live. 14 Certainly, all who are guided by God’s Spirit are God’s children. (NOG)
- KJV: Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh. 13 For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live. 14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.
We must submit to the influence and guidance of the Holy Spirit. It is God’s free gift that will lead us to our promised land. With it’s help we can change and please God; let the gospel—Good news about what Jesus has in store for you—change your life. As stated in Colossians 1:6, ‘The Good News came to you the same as it is now going out to all the world. Lives are being changed, just as your life was changed the day you heard the Good News. You understood the truth about God’s loving-kindness.’ (NLV)
Know this for sure my friends, that no sexually immoral person, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, has any inheritance in the Kingdom of Christ and God.’ (Ephesians 5:5 [NHEB]). Allow the Good News to help you change your life in good ways. I pray that you have enjoyed and will make the most of this Bible study. Blessings to you and your loved ones—♥ Tim. ☺
Outline
Note: parenthesis (#) encloses the key verse(s).
STM Bible Study Summary
- Matthew 3:1-12 (8); reference Luke 3:1-20 (8).
- Key Points: Ephesians 4:17-24 (21-24); 2 Corinthians 5:12-21 (16-21); Acts 1:1-8 (8), 26:19-23 (20); and Galatians 5:16-26 (16).
Transformed or Changed Life Experience
- Romans 6:20-22
- Some of the proving things we should do: 2 Corinthians 5:9-11 (9); 1 Peter 4:7-11 (11); 1 Corinthians 10:23-33 (31), 14:26-40 (26); Colossians 1:24-29 (27), 3:1-11 (8); and Romans 8:1-11 (5-8).
- God’s free gift and repentance: John 3:1-21 (5-8) and Luke 24:44-49 (46-49).
- Bible Translation Variations Compared for Luke 5:32: Luke 5:27-32 (31-32).
New Life in Christ
- 2 Corinthians 7:8-13 (8-10) and John 15:9-17 (12-13) [references: 2 Corinthians 5:14-15; Galatians 2:20; Hebrews 10:10-14; 1 Peter 2:21-24; 1 John 3:16].
- Adjusting to a new life in Christ: James 2:14-26 (18); Matthew 3:1-12 (8); and Romans 6:1-14 (4).
- 4 keys from Ephesians 5: Ephesians 5:1-7 (1-4) [please read the following references for each verse 1-4 (you will not regret it]:
- Matthew 5:43-48; Luke 6:35-36; Ephesians 4:25-32; and 1 Peter 1:15-16].
- John 13:34; 1 Corinthians 16:14; Ephesians 3:17; Colossians 3:14; 1 Peter 4:8; and 1 John 4:20-21.
- 1 Corinthians 5:1-13; 6:13,18; 7:2; 10:1-18; 2 Corinthians 12:21; Galatians 5:19; Colossians 3:5; 1 Thessalonians 4:3; and Revelation 2:21; 9:21.
- Psalms 14:1-7; Proverbs 30:12; Colossians 3:8-10; 1 John 1:7-10; and James 1:21.
- Our Lord is patient: 2 Peter 3:14-18 (14-16) [references: Romans 2:4 and 2 Peter 3:9].
Using God’s Free Gift (God’s Spirit)
- • Romans 8:12-17 (12-14); Colossians 1:3-8 (6); and Ephesians 5:1-7 (5).
Related studies/lessons/snacks for further spiritual growth:
♥ Question for “Changed Life: Experience Your Best Using God’s Free Gift”: Is your hope in the Lord and eternal life?
See what is available on the Sound Truth Ministry website.
I look forward to your feedback via comment at the bottom of the page or by emailing [email protected]. Have a fantabulous day!
Updated: Tuesday, August 16, 2022