For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
Romans 3:23
In the garden when Adam and Eve fell, sin entered the world and they died, spiritually…
God absolutely does not want to leave us in our sins because He loves us and because the wages (payment, what one earns) of sin is death. He sent Jesus to rescue us from our sinful ways the devil is using to steal, kill and destroy us.
The thief (the devil) cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I (Jesus) am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.
John 10:10
Does God desire to modify (change, conform) our behavior? Yes, definitely. The devil greatly modified our behavior (the result was our sin nature) through the fall in the garden. He wanted (and still does) to destroy us. Through Jesus’ death and resurrection, God made it possible for mankind to reverse the impact of the fall. God wants to restore us (See Romans 12:2) to the relationship He had with us in the garden. God tells us to renew our minds (modify, if you will) to His ways in order that we might no longer be conformed to this world’s destructive behavior (our fallen ways).
And ye shall know the truth (God’s ways as discovered in the Bible), and the truth shall make you free.
John 8:32
And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
Romans 12:2
I can honestly tell you, dear friend, that as I cooperate with God’s work in my life, as I learn to yield to His lead, His truth is modifying me and it’s the most wonderful experience I’ve ever known.
God bless,
Mark