I think there are people who believe once they're saved that it is an instantaneous transformation from who they were prior unto a perfect angel of a person once they've received Christ.
In my experience it is a process. One that begins with learning to trust.
All of this is a reflection upon that personal experience therefore I speak for and of myself.
Being born into this world we're raised by people, our parents or parent, who have their own experience in life to accompany their teaching us how the world works.
And often enough learning how to cope in the world, even when raised in the faith, is a balancing act. As a child brought to church it can be difficult to understand the full import of the Salvation principles. Sunday school intends to do that but they usually proceed with a child like choreography or lesson plan to begin that education. While the wiles of the enemy, the traps he sets, the discernment necessary to navigate while living in this world knowing one is no longer part of its temptations, is for more mature minds than that of a child.
That's why I say it is a process to live the Gospel truth. I think what causes concern often enough is when we're told, being Christian means being like Christ. "Christ-like = Christian= or, Christ_I_am".
Then when we lose our temper we may feel as if we're not really walking in the way of our Lord. But yet, we have but to recall Jesus lost his temper too. And being Christ , Emmanuel, God with us, was the Father in the Old Testament accounts, more than once. So then it becomes OK to get mad once in awhile.
Even if a curse word or two go along with that. Jesus called the scribes and the pharisee's curse words as they would have been known in his day. Vipers, you are of your father the Devil, etc...
Jesus did not sin and yet he was fully human and fully channeling his God power at the same time. So we cannot hope to be precisely like Christ.
Trust is the big one. Let go and let God, as they say. Trust God see's and knows everything about us and the path we're to travel on the life road ahead. For so long before we were saved we plotted our own course and took our own responsibility for it. Now, while we are still responsible for our actions, we have to learn how to let the indwelling Holy Spirit of our Father guide our steps, thoughts, actions.
That takes time too. Rather than immediately respond to something, pause. As is in the scriptures, "be still and know I am God".
Be still when encountering something that BC, Before Christ, you would have addressed as that old self. Let the Lord's guidance help you through.
Instead of giving attitude right back at that cashier that is up in your face, as example, pause in the stillness of your own sense of being the temple of the most high Lord, and let Him find your words to say back. If you are to say anything at all.
It is a process , a life long process. It is all for our benefit as we learn more and more to trust and let go of our way and live in the way of Holy God and how He would prefer us to do.
And it's fun.
Especially when you get really good at taking that moment to be still and let God guide you. If you're like me as it happens, you recall what the old you would have done instead. And this then lets me see how far I've come.
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