Memorise: Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a
new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things
are become new. 2nd Corinthians 5:17
Speaking about a ‘new life’ is an indication that
there has been an old one. In Christianity, when we speak of the ‘old life’, we
mean a combination of the philosophy of life and worldview that controls the
lifestyle and behaviour of a person that is not born again. The new life in
Christ however, is the new way of thinking and doing things in accordance with
the Bible that we have come to be acquainted with since we became born again.
Several passages of the Bible focus on issues concerning the old and new life
in order to help Christians identify the sources of their thoughts and actions,
whether they are remnants of the old evil ways or from the new life in Christ.
Galatians 2:20 says:
“I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer
live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in
the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.”
The book of Galatians devoted much effort to
explanations on the old and new life, but what the above passage says about the
old life and the new is golden. It simply says that when a person accepts Jesus
as Lord and Saviour, he automatically becomes dead to the old life, and
communication with the old life becomes cut off. Everything about the thought
process, interest, tastes, sensibilities, and the will becomes inaccessible to
the former system of control. The old password simply refuses to work because
the access code has been changed.
This event effectively marks the end on an era
called ‘the old life’, and the beginning of the new life in Jesus. 2nd Corinthians
5:17 says;
“Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new
creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.”
At this point, everything about the life we lived
before we met Jesus ceases. The control of our lives now shifts back to the
original source, to the One who gave us this free gift of new life. We
naturally begin to hunger for righteousness by pursuing purity, honesty,
justice, unselfishness, love, humility, and service to humanity. The Bible
makes it clear that becoming a Christian is much more than adopting a new
philosophy of life. When a person becomes a Christian through the right
process, all phases of life are renewed. It starts from a new mind; you
instantly begin to think differently from the old ways, to the extent that you
actually become surprised at your new self. You suddenly develop a new standard
and you begin to measure everything you do in line with the Bible. The new life
in Christ also comes with a new hope of abundant life here on earth and eternal
life in heaven. People may equate hope with wishful thinking, but real hope is
based on the authority of the one offering it. God is faithful and dependable.
You can count on Him for a new life in Christ.
Prayer Point: Father, please let the new life You
gave me be refreshed every day of my life in the Name of Jesus.
Bible in one year: 2nd Kings
8:25-10:17, Proverbs 22:13-28
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