Link to devotionals - https://cliffviewchurch.org/devotionals

What truly changes when someone becomes a new creation in Christ? Is it just behavior—or is it everything?

In this Milk to Meat episode, we dig into 2 Corinthians 5:17 and unpack what it really means when Scripture says, “the old things passed away; behold, new things have come.” We explore how salvation is not merely a moment, but the beginning of a lifelong transformation where God reshapes every part of who we are.

Using the powerful illustration of a master craftsman taking an old, seemingly useless piece of wood and turning it into a work of art, we examine how God works in our lives. The process involves cutting away old, dirty, broken pieces that don’t belong in the final vision. As we surrender more fully to Jesus as Lord, submit to His Word, and grow in our relationship with Him, the old layers of sin and misplaced priorities begin to fall away—and Christ begins to shine through us.

We talk about how what once mattered to us slowly loses its grip, while what matters to God becomes important to us. His dreams become our dreams. His thoughts begin to shape our thinking. This transformation isn’t instantaneous in every area, but as we continue walking closely with the Lord and surrendering our lives to Him, our desires increasingly align with His.

We also discuss how old habits we once felt powerless to break begin to lose their hold as we rely on the Holy Spirit to do the work only He can do. Along the way, our perspective changes—not just how we see ourselves, but how we see others. We develop a love and urgency for the lost.

Finally, we look at the woman at the well in John 4:7–30. Despite her status as a Samaritan woman—considered the lowest in her culture—Jesus meets her right where she is. After encountering Him and having her sin exposed and forgiven, she can’t keep it to herself. Her transformed life compels her to tell others what she has found.

This episode is a deep look at what it means to be made new—and how a real encounter with Jesus always leads to real transformation and a desire to share Him with the world.