“Leave no trace” …

Wilderness areas open for public use usually have a policy known as “leave no trace.” The idea is that the wilderness is open for public use, such as hiking or camping, but users are to “leave no trace” they were there. The only thing remaining after use should be the wilderness in all its pristine beauty.

I think that’s the goal for Christians in their transformation as Christ followers: to leave no trace of the old, sinful person, and instead display the beauty of the holiness of Christ as we are transformed into His likeness.

2 Corinthians 5:17 says, “This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!”

Once we have surrendered our lives to Christ, He changes us! The person who was ruled by sin has died, has been buried with Jesus Christ, and has been raised with Christ to walk in newness of life … a new person! Scripture says we have been “clothed with Christ” (Galatians 3:27). Such a transformation should display a whole new person, covering the old, sin-laden person we used to be.

Although we still wrestle with the old sinful nature, we should increasingly be like Christ, and leaving less and less trace of our former selves … “So all of us who have had that veil removed can see and reflect the glory of the Lord. And the Lord — who is the Spirit — makes us more and more like him as we are changed into his glorious image” (2 Corinthians 3:18).

How’s your reflection these days?

Scotty