While visiting my mother last year I went to see how my old grade school looked.  There it stood in all of its grandeur.  Men were working in and around it and i was curious to see what was going on.  I stopped and went in.  I climbed the same stairs I climbed some 45 years ago.  But things were different.  It was the same on the outside, but it was different on the inside.  The exterior was aging, but the inside was all new.  New walls, new carpets, new paint and new doors.
    When an individual comes to Jesus, he is not the same.  He/She still looks the same, but something different has taken place inside.  He/She has a peace that only comes when one surrenders their life to the Savior.
    This person has been forgiven of every sin committed in the past (Acts 2:38) and they have a new start in life.  This person has his/her sins forgiven as they keep walking in the way of God (1 Jn. 1:6-9)
    The individual who becomes a Christian is given a new purpose for life.  So many see each day as a repeat of the previous 24 hours.  There is a routine that is never broken.  The Christian sees each day as a new opportunity to glorify God.  When we are focusing our life on our Creator, we see people who God loves needing to be brought into a relationship with Him.  Our whole purpose for living is to lift up Jesus Christ for our world to see.
    The Christian has new relationships.  Even the family sees something different.  Selfishness and dogmatism is gone.  The husband becomes a loving, gentle giant who supports and cares for his family.  Instead of his family existing for his benefit, he recognizes his responsibility to those he has been entrusted with.  The children are reared in a peaceful and loving environment.
    Things may look the same on the outside, but thank God He has made all things new again, 2 Cor. 5:17.

Norm Russell, Preacher (North Bend Church of Christ Or.)