I tell you the truth, unless changed and becoming like a child, no one enters the kingdom of heaven.*
This word for change is often translated as a turning from sin, repenting... but in context and with other related scriptures we see it has much more meaning as "change of substance." The truth is we don't do the changing. The "change of substance" occurs when "becoming like a child," and the word becoming means "to be, become, happen; to come into existence, be born." Such a change speaks of a new creation in Christ, so this is the meaning of "changed and becoming like a child." Jesus said, "I tell you the certain truth, unless one is born of water and Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. What is born of flesh is flesh but what is born of Spirit is Spirit."* Change occurs, even godly repentance, of the will of God.* When we change in Christ, we are a new creation, the old passes away, we are forever changed.
This word for change is often translated as a turning from sin, repenting... but in context and with other related scriptures we see it has much more meaning as "change of substance." The truth is we don't do the changing. The "change of substance" occurs when "becoming like a child," and the word becoming means "to be, become, happen; to come into existence, be born." Such a change speaks of a new creation in Christ, so this is the meaning of "changed and becoming like a child." Jesus said, "I tell you the certain truth, unless one is born of water and Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. What is born of flesh is flesh but what is born of Spirit is Spirit."* Change occurs, even godly repentance, of the will of God.* When we change in Christ, we are a new creation, the old passes away, we are forever changed.
For John came for your benefit, a way to righteousness, but you did not believe alone, but the tax collectors and prostitutes believed, and you changed not afterwards, the one, believing Him.*
The way to righteousness is not the way of man, such is like filthy rags. Even the shoes of Jesus John the baptist said he was unworthy to touch. John was a testimony to Christ, the greatest of the prophets that foresaw into this mystery, and like the others he also pointed to a "way to righteousness." The religious leaders saw this preparation as the scriptures prophesied of but did not believe, and when the Righteous One came, the way of righteousness, they did not believe Him and change. But the tax collectors and prostitutes changed and entered into the kingdom of heaven. Such is a picture of the wedding banquet when all who were invited made excuses, even killing the messengers, so those who were invited become unworthy, and the unworthy now became those worthy. These who were invited but did not come were destroyed, becoming vessels of His wrath, they were destined for this, Paul writes, so that we change and become vessels of His mercy.
And He answered saying I will not, but he changed and went.*
There were two sons whom the father had asked to work his vineyard, one said no but changed, the other son said yes but he did not enter. Which of the two did the will of the father? Yes, the one who changed. The Prodigal Son though he squandered his inheritance, he changed becoming more righteous than his older brother, who did not change and love his brother who came later. And there is a third son, who changed and became like man, the perfect son, who said yes and did the will of the Father, loving us even to the point of death on a cross. How was Jesus obedient as a fleshly man? he was devoted to the Father in love.* In heaven the one who began work first will not get a bigger mansion, as the worker who changes and arrives late gets the same wage as those who begin first. Before Christ we will not be worthy of any glory, the crowns having received will be thrown at the feet of the perfect Son.
Therefore receive one another even as Christ also received you, for the glory of God.*
Did I received Christ or did He receive me? How do we change and become like a child? Christ received us. All that the Father gives will come to Him and no one will be turned away.* To change one must seek and labor for "substance" that changes and endures unto ever lasting life, which the Son of Man will give.* Those who come to the Son become a child born a new creation, of a Spirit of Adoption whereby we cry Abba Father!* We are adopted, not based upon our works but are Chosen by Grace.* Adoption is an amazing picture of how we become like a child, being changed born of Spirit. We enter the kingdom in lowliness, like a helpless orphan dependent upon a caring father.* And we stand in grace, as grace reigns through the gift of righteousness. In Christ we receive righteousness which is producing fruit that leads us into change, transformation, becoming like Christ, which end is Life. Truly, becoming like Him is not our doing but His workmanship.* We abide in Him in faith, hope, and love. It is a telling sign if we have received Christ in this way that we will receive others the same, best shown in how we give the greatest gift, Love.*
Jesus Christ the same yesterday and today and for all time.*
If Jesus is the same forever, and He changed me then I am changed forever. And He is working out all things for my good.* We have been changed becoming like a child, a new creation, and we are changing, becoming in maturity to the full measure of Christ. Putting away childish things, the childish mind is being renewed to have the mind of Christ. So we are forever changed when we became a child of God, we just need to be known as we are fully known. This is our sanctification, looking into the principle of Liberty, not turning away from truth, but enduring in change, sanctified in truth. In love we are becoming who we are, our true identity in Christ, not the old, but the new, forever changed.