Why Real Change Is Needed Among Those Who Follow Jesus
Let’s talk honestly: if today’s church—meaning those of us who say we follow Christ—actually wants to be the church Jesus is building, it’s time for us to rethink how we’re living and what we’re all about.
Jesus once asked his disciples, “Who do you say I am?” (Matthew 16:13-20). Peter piped up and said, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” That wasn’t just a lucky guess or something Peter figured out on his own. God opened his eyes to see it. Jesus said Peter was blessed because of this, and he used Peter’s confession—his clear statement of faith—as the foundation for what the church would be built on. Notice: Jesus didn’t say the church would be built on Peter himself, but on the truth that Jesus is the promised Messiah, the one sent by God.
In other words, the real church is made up of people who truly believe and confess that Jesus is the Christ. If that’s not our foundation, we’re just fooling ourselves.
But something else is clear from the Bible: just saying we believe isn’t enough. Jeremiah 26:13 tells us we need to change our ways and do what’s right. It’s a warning—if we keep going our own way and ignore God, we miss out on what he wants for us. God calls us to turn around, to “amend our ways,” so we avoid the mess and pain that come from ignoring him.
The apostle Paul says something similar in Romans 12:2. He urges us not to “be conformed to this world,” but to be transformed by the “renewing of our mind.” In plain language: stop copying the behaviors and values of the world around us. Don’t just blend in or go with the flow. Instead, let God change how we think, what we value, and what we live for—from the inside out.
So, what does all this mean for us today?
· It’s about a real, living faith. We can’t just go to church, follow the crowd, or use the label “Christian.” Jesus wants people who truly know him, trust him, and build their lives on him.
· It’s about actually changing. If we’re stuck in old habits, bitterness, or just going through the motions, it’s time to let God change us. That means being honest about where we’re off-track and willing to do things differently.
· It’s about offering ourselves to God. Romans 12:1 talks about presenting our bodies as a “living sacrifice.” In other words, give God your whole self—your time, your talents, your plans, your dreams—not just an hour on Sunday.
· It’s about refusing to settle for less. The world offers a lot of tempting shortcuts and distractions. But God calls us to something better—a life that looks more and more like Jesus.
The Bible also warns us: don’t follow the crowd into what’s wrong, and don’t attack those who speak the truth, like Jeremiah did. When someone challenges us with God’s word—even if it’s uncomfortable—it’s for our good, so we can turn back to what matters.
At the end of the day, being the church Jesus is building isn’t about big buildings or impressive programs. It’s about people who are changed at the core, people who love Jesus, turn from their old ways, and live out their faith in real, everyday ways.
So if we want to be the church Christ is truly building, let’s be honest with ourselves. Let’s let go of the stuff that holds us back, let God renew our minds, and build our lives on the only solid foundation—Jesus, the Son of the living God.
Minister A Francine Green
August 2025
afrancinegreen.com 