We cannot change our own life; we must have Christ Jesus transform our character so that our desires will be His desires. When we try to change ourselves without Christ, we become prideful, and it is deceptive, because the change is fleshly rather than Spiritual.
Ephesians 2:9-10 "…9 not by works, so that no one can boast. 10 For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance as our way of life."
Ephesians 2:10 "10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them."
When we have trusted in Christ, He responds to that faith in Him by transforming us on the inside. We no longer think the same way we thought before. Our faith in Christ must go beyond just wanting Him to save us, it must be an inense desire for Him to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. Appearances don't count, pretend goodness does not count, only Christ's change in us will count and then He gets all the glory and we get none.
Before we were born again, we loved the fleshly things and thought we were good people. After we were born again, we realized just how sinful we were, pride fell off, and was replaced by humility.
If stubborn pride remains after someone decides to become a Christian, then very likely they were never born again. They merely joined the group and attempted to become what they thought they should, not based on the Bible but based on the culture.
Believe me when I say the "cultural Christianity" barely resembles the transformed heart of the authentically born-again believer who was changed by Christ.
Ephesians 1:12-14 "…12 in order that we, who were the first to hope in Christ, would be for the praise of His glory. 13 And in Him, having heard and believed the word of truth— the gospel of your salvation— you were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, 14 who is the pledge of our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession, to the praise of His glory.…"
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