We sometimes notice 'withdrawal symptoms' of the old nature of sin. We often find ourselves asking 'Why did I think that? or say that? Or do that?' Praise God that He has supplied various agents of change in Christ to help us live a reformed life, and to give us the opportunity to become His agents of change. Listen to this sermon

Agents of Change
By Apostle Aje Pelser
Preached at Harvester Reformational Church, Milnerton.
3rd June 2007.

Transitional Sentence:
God has supplied various agents of change in Christ to help us live a reformed life, and to give us the opportunity to become His agents of change.

We sometimes notice 'withdrawal symptoms' of the old nature of sin. We often find ourselves asking 'Why did I think that? or say that? Or do that?' We no longer want to live that way, but there is an undercurrent of sinful desires that needs to reckoned dead daily: Apostle Paul gives us a clue:
Rom 6:11 Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.
1Co 15:31 I protest by your rejoicing which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die daily.

We can now be fee from this curse in the Old testament:
Lev 26:39 And they that are left of you shall pine away in their iniquity in your enemies' lands; and also in the iniquities of their fathers shall they pine away with them
“Pine” H4743 mâqaq (Pronounced) maw-kak'
A primitive root; to melt; figuratively to flow, dwindle, vanish: – consume away, be corrupt, dissolve, pine away.

“iniquities” H5771 ‛âvôn
BDB Definition:
1) perversity, depravity, iniquity, guilt or punishment of iniquity
1a) iniquity
1b) guilt of iniquity, guilt (as great), guilt (of condition)
1c) consequence of or punishment for iniquity

This explains what it means to rot away in sin, but the Good news is that Jesus Christ became cursed for us on the cross so that if we believe in Him, we should not be cursed. We do not have to grow corrupt through the lust of the world and dissolve all our strength, willpower and energy in the pursuit of sinful pleasures – which don’t last anyway – the pleasures of sin are only for a season. Hebrews 11:25.
The wages of sin is death.
Isa 47:8 Therefore hear now this, thou that art given to pleasures, that dwellest carelessly, that sayest in thine heart, I am, and none else beside me; I shall not sit as a widow, neither shall I know the loss of children:
Isa 47:9 But these two things shall come to thee in a moment in one day, the loss of children, and widowhood: they shall come upon thee in their perfection for the multitude of thy sorceries, and for the great abundance of thine enchantments.

Understand the effect of pining after sin
Pining away for iniquity:
The flesh sometimes “pines” away after former sins of lust, greed and other vices. It’s almost as if there is a withdrawal symptom in our bodies for former things. That explains why Jesus encourages His disciples to “watch and pray” to avoid entering into temptation. God’s Word helps us stay pure.

God reveals His pleasures to us. We are accessing the pleasures of God's glory through healing, deliverance; peace that passess understanding; joy in spite of circumstances – these are pleasures money can't buy – they are eternal.
Psa 16:11 Thou wilt show me the path of life: in thy presence is fullness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures forevermore.
Psa 36:8 They shall be abundantly satisfied with the fatness of thy house; and thou shalt make them drink of the river of thy pleasures.
Psa 36:9 For with thee is the fountain of life: in thy light shall we see light.
Psa 36:10 O continue thy lovingkindness unto them that know thee; and thy righteousness to the upright in heart.
Psa 36:11 Let not the foot of pride come against me, and let not the hand of the wicked remove me.
Psa 36:12 There are the workers of iniquity fallen: they are cast down, and shall not be able to rise.

God’s word warns us. His warnings through scripture and prophecy are agents of change that we need to allow into our lives. Once we receive the correction it empowers us to change.
Reformation is found in the Old Testament as well:
Lev 26:23 And if ye will not be reformed by me by these things, but will walk contrary unto me;
It is issued as a warning…
Here the word means:
“Reformed” H3256 yâsar (Pronounced yaw-sar')
A primitive root; to chastise, literally (with blows) or figuratively (with words); hence to instruct: – bind, chasten, chastise, correct, instruct, punish, reform, reprove, sore, teach.

We have the Foundation stones of our faith to build a new lifestyle. To live a changed life in Christ.
Heb 6:1 Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God,
Heb 6:2 Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment.
We can only go on to perfection if the foundation is solid.

We are now fellow citizens with the saints and with the household of God. The Church of Christ places us in a structure that not only supports us, but changes us through participation with other believers. Divine fellowship promotes a synergy of change that one person alone is never capable of reaching. We pray for each other. We share the burdens of the weak when we are strong, and others help us when we are weak. We are mentored and as we grow, we mentor others in the Way of Life which Jesus taught.
Eph 2:19 Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints, and of the household of God;
Eph 2:20 And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;
Eph 2:21 In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto a holy temple in the Lord:
Eph 2:22 In whom ye also are builded together for a habitation of God through the Spirit.

We enter into His Presence by a new and living way which Jesus Christ consecrated for – through His body, the Church
Heb 6:1 Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God,
Heb 6:2 Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment.

Jesus brought the reformation to us – to straighten out our lives.
Heb 9:10 Which stood only in meats and drinks, and divers washings, and carnal ordinances, imposed on them until the time of reformation.
Heb 9:11 But Christ being come a high priest of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this building;
“Reformation” G1357 diorthōsis (Pronounced dee-or'-tho-sis)
From a compound of G1223 and a derivative of G3717, meaning to straighten thoroughly; rectification, that is, (specifically) the Messianic restoration: – reformation.

To summarize: God's Agents of Change release the benefits of a reformed life.
So let’s reckon our old nature dead and stop pi