When we accept Christ and are baptized we come up new and are ready to start over. We must forget the past and live letting God shape us into a person focused on Him. I love that it says, “let God transform you” we can’t do it only God can. We must open His word and read it for transformation, changing our hearts so we live the way it shows us. We have been given the Holy Spirit to be our advocate to show us what to do and we know what Jesus did and know we are called to be like Him. When we release control, get behind the Spirit, and learn we can be sure of these things: One, we will change and two satan will entice us with worldly pleasures. Our walk won’t be easy, and we must make an effort to continually die to self.
Look at what is says in verse 11, “Never be lazy, but work hard and serve the Lord enthusiastically.” It doesn’t say live for yourself and you will have fun, it says, “serve the Lord enthusiastically.” We are called to serve not just receive, so we must learn and then live out what we learn. Then when we are tired or discouraged with life we know we must work hard and not be lazy. We must have faith that no matter what happens Jesus did what He did for us so we can have eternal life through Him.
I want to end with verse 12 which says, “Rejoice in our confident hope. Be patient in trouble, and keep on praying.” Amen