Living the New Life in Christ

The very moment we accept JESUS CHRIST as LORD and Savior, we become a new creation. The old self outside of CHRIST is no more and a new self takes its place. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! 2 Corinthians 5:17

Before salvation we are spiritually dead, hostile to GOD’s will, and without hope. Now that we are the children of GOD the Father’s Spirit lives in us, enabling us to let go of the misery that came with our old lifestyle and embrace the joy of living righteously as the new self in CHRIST.

Although the Spirit is there to help us, GOD wants us to be active participants in the process of becoming our new self. He tells us in His WORD to put off the old self and put on the new self to reflect His image and likeness. (Ephesians 4: 22-24). And GOD, being faithful, does not leave us to figure it all out on our own.

What do we need to change?

Our speech

• Don’t lie; speak the truth. Colossians 3:9; Ephesians 4:25
• Don’t use foul language. Communicate with grace, love and respect. Ephesians 4:15, 29; Colossians 4:6
• Don’t gossip about and slander others. Proverbs 6:16-19; Ephesians 4:31

Our attitude

• Don’t grumble and complain. Philippians 2:14
• Don’t let anger get out of control; seek peace. Ephesians 4:31; Colossians 3:15
• Don’t be unkind; show compassion and forgive. Ephesians 4:32

Our character

• Don’t steal; deal honestly with others. Ephesians 4:28; Proverbs 11:1
• Don’t be a cheat; have integrity. Proverbs 11:1, 3; Psalm 25:21

Our thoughts

• Don’t entertain negative thoughts; think positive. Philippians 4:8-10; 2 Corinthians 10:5
• Don’t be consumed by worry; pray always. Philippians 4:6-7; Matthew 6:25-34

  

These actions must be deliberate and purposeful whether we have been saved for a week, a year, or have decades of salvation under your belts.

What is our ultimate goal?

Every believer’s goal must be to be as good a likeness of our Father as we can be before the rest of the world. To be blameless and pure, children of GOD who are faultless in a crooked and perverted generation, among whom you shine like stars in the world. Philippians 2:15.

Some days that goal may seem distant and beyond our reach. We must not be put off but, with faith, continue to keep the goal firmly fixed in our sights.

The Apostle Paul wrote the majority of the New Testament epistles that guide our lives today and he could not claim to have full maturity in his Christian walk. However, Paul did claim to be making every effort to get there. (Philippians 3:12-16)

How did Paul do it? He put off everything in his old life and moved continually toward the new life and the prize promised to every believer by GOD’s heavenly call in CHRIST JESUS. Our call to the Kingdom and to eternal glory and happiness.

Reaching this prize is our ultimate new life goal.

We get there by pressing forward daily, living up to whatever truth we attain along the way, and knowing that, as we go, we are being transformed from glory to glory.

Prayer and Thanksgiving: Holy Father, we good and awesome YOU are! We thank YOU for the prize of YOUR high calling in CHRIST JESUS. Thank YOU for YOUR perfect love in that those whom YOU called, YOU both justified and glorified. Father, YOU have done a complete work through YOUR SON and we are glad. We thank YOU for working in us to will and to do of YOUR good pleasure to fulfill YOUR purpose for our lives and the riches of YOUR grace for us. To YOU, be dominion and power for ever and ever. 

We pray and ask all things in JESUS’ name. Amen.

Always by God’s Word and prayer,

Cecile