Each person has a default value

An individual's personality is unique.

It's usually more known by others than we can see for ourselves, especially if it slants toward the negative.

"That one is always contentious and angry." Proverbs 16:32; 18:6

"Now THAT is a bitter person." Ephesians 4:31

Some do notice the POSITIVE, don't they?

"My Mom is virtuous." Proverbs 31:28-29

"Wow! They give great customer service here." Philippians 2:3

Within the extremes, within the range of our behavior, each of us tends to land at a common-to-us value in our character and actions.

Some have taken personality tests or filled out doctor's forms that ask if we're happy, depressed, anxious, and things like that.

If we're old enough, maybe we could check off the boxes for many of the positive and negative feelings asked.

Thankfully, most of the time we don't fall into the negative side of life.

But if we lean toward that as the DEFAULT VALUE of our heart and mind, how can we change this?

To become different in words and actions is tough to do, isn't it?

Even small changes that LAST, many have found it difficult to accomplish this.

If someone points out that we have negative ways, maybe we do want to become better.

Don't most of us want to see ourselves and how others come to know us as this new version?

INNER PERSON RENEWED

Have you ever thought,

"If I could be young again"?

Or young people might wish,

"If only I were older."

A spiritual person or someone who wants to be might hope,

"If I could have a new start, a new birth, a second chance at life..."

The Bible says that we CAN.

Consider the following words of encouraging possibilities for you and me --

But to all who did receive Him [Jesus], to those who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God— children born not of blood, nor of the desire or will of man, but born of God. John 1:12-13

Flesh is born of flesh, but spirit is born of the Spirit. Do not be amazed that I [Jesus] said, "You must be born again." John 3:6-7

For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God. 1 Peter 1:23

But when the kindness of God our Savior and His love for mankind appeared, He saved us, not by the righteous deeds we had done, but according to His mercy, through the washing of new birth and renewal by the Holy Spirit. This is the Spirit He poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior. Titus 3:4-6

Wouldn't this change us?

If we become a new creation through the Lord Jesus Christ, 2 Corinthians 5:17 wouldn't we have new ways of thinking, Philippians 4:8 talking, Ephesians 4:29 and living? Colossians 3:1-10

If we then followed Him, would we STOP being conformed to this world and be TRANSFORMED through renewing our minds?

Therefore I urge you, brothers and sisters, on account of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God, which is your spiritual service of worship.

Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God. Romans 12:1-2

FUTURE CHANGES

So, let's say that our default value changes for good, and keeps changing from "glory to glory" by the Spirit of the Lord. 2 Corinthians 3:18

Can it get any better than this?

We hope so.

Paul wrote,

If our hope in Christ is for this life alone, we are to be pitied more than all people. 1 Corinthians 15:19

The negative that's still in us, even if it's small, will become all positive, divinely so by His grace.

Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed— in an instant, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we will be changed. For the corruptible must be clothed with the incorruptible, and the mortal with immortality. 1 Corinthians 15:51-53

Anything else?

And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with Him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, in order that in the coming ages He might display the surpassing riches of His grace, demonstrated by His kindness to us in Christ Jesus. Ephesians 2:6-7

We look for new heavens and a new earth where righteousness lives. 2 Peter 3:13

We wait for the day when the bad will be gone.

And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. Revelation 21:4

We desire for the Lord to do what only He can do.

And He that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. Revelation 21:5

He's not finished with you and me!

Your thoughts?

R. Jason