My brother, my sister, people should be able to see the difference between the way Christians and non-Christian live. Of course, Christian growth is a lifelong process: although we have a new nature, we don’t automatically think all good thoughts and have all pure attitudes when we become new people in Christ (when we are born again). However, if we keep… listening to the Lord and try our best to follow His principles, we will be changing all the time.
My friend, you and me cannot reach up to God by following rules of pious self-denial, by observing rituals or by practicing religion. Of course, the rules are not bad and are there for a good purpose: “the law is holy, and the commandment holy and just and good” (Romans 7:12). It is us who cannot match their standards, that is the reason why keeping the law will not earn us salvation. However, the Good News is that God reaches down to human beings and He asks for our response. That’s all! Man-made religions focus on human efforts, Christianity focuses on Christ’s work. My friend, your salvation does not depend on you following a long list of religious rules that require your own discipline and rule keeping that make you appear good…. your salvation depends on the power of Christ’s death and resurrection. Stay blessed in Jesus’ name.