There are at least two ways that phrase is used.  First, it is used by the person who has determined a certain identity, course or position and they are stating their commitment.  This can be good or bad.  For example, a person who has decided to follow Jesus might say, “I have chosen Jesus as my principal Teacher for life, I’ll never change.”  That would be good.  On the other hand a person might say, “I hate Dutch people, I’ll never change.”  That would be bad.  There is a second way that phrase is used but it is not reflective of commitment; it is stated in despair.  Maybe you’ve been afflicted with a besetting sin.  You know, that one that always gets you.  Maybe you are addicted to something.  Maybe you have anger issues.  Maybe you have a habit that alienates you from others and brings you shame.  You try and try and try and for a while you do okay and then…boom…you blow it.  In despair you say to others, or under your breath to your disappointed self, “I’ll never change.”  It’s a hopeless feeling and can lead some people to give up all together.  Believe it or not, our study of the cross of Christ has a cure for the loss of hope when it comes to the subject of change.  Lord willing, we’ll be looking at it with some detail on Sunday but in summary, consider this.  According to Romans 6, a person who is united to Christ by faith was crucified with Him!  This means that a believer is no longer under the penalty of sin AND no longer subject to its influence.  What it means for us is this, we do not have to sin.  Seriously?  We often make up excuses…”Well I’m a guy, so I have to…”  “Well, I’m a pessimist so I have to…”  “Well I’m lonely so I have to…”  We underestimate the power and sufficiency of the cross of Christ if we are thinking that way.  Paul admonishes a new thought pattern based upon our union with Christ in His death, burial and resurrection, “Consider yourself to be dead to sin!”  WARNING: C.S. Lewis wrote, “Make no mistake, God says, “If you let me, I will make you perfect.  The moment you put yourself in My hands, that is what you are in for.  Nothing less than or other than that…you can push Me away, but if you do not, understand that I am going to see this job through.””  And, the cross is the reason for this and the resource available to us to cooperate with God to His ends.  “I can change; on to perfection!!!”