A relationship with Jesus…entering that relationship causes us to be made new! The old you is gone! How can I tell if I’m not the old, former person I was?
It’s not in how you look on the outside – it’s who you are on the inside. Some may look good on the outside, but they don’t fit the bill on the inside. Others may not wear the “right hat” or the right jeans, but they fit the bill because of who resides in their heart.
When it comes to bein’ a real follower of Christ it requires a change from within. Some people look like a follower on the outside – but that’s all there is! Some have some head knowledge, but there has been no life change – it doesn’t show on the outside or inside!
So many folks are hung up about something called religion. Religion is not the answer – it’s not about looking right or even talking right or even knowing what’s right.
It’s all about a relationship! Jesus invites us into a relationship with Him. And then He cleans us from the inside out!
A relationship with Jesus makes us new! If you are truly in Christ, you are a new person. The person you were before is dead and you have been made new in Christ!
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come. (2 Cor. 5:17 nasb)
What does it mean to be a new creature in Christ? It means you’re no longer lost in your sin, you’ve literally been found. You’re no longer a sinner doomed to hell, but a sinner saved by grace. You go from life without purpose to having eternal purpose. You go from being without salvation to being transformed in Christ.
If you are a new creature in Christ it means that the old feller you used to be has died. According to Romans 6, we have died to the former life and we live a new life in Christ. We have been buried with Him through baptism. But just as Christ was raised from the dead, we have been also raised to walk in new life. Our old sinful self died on that cross with Jesus. In Christ, we’ve been freed from sin. The old man is dead, the new man is born.
But how come this new person I am in Christ still sins? Did it not take? I’m not saying we’re gonna live a perfect life without sin, but we are no longer held hostage u n d e r sin’s grip.
In Christ, you have the power and want to so as not to continue in sin. It’s all about the power of God working in your life.
You’ve heard that God won’t give us more than we can handle. Aw, sure, it may seem like plenty, but through the Son, He gives us the power to escape and/or endure the situation we are in. In 1 Corinthians 10:13, Paul writes, “No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it.” (nasb)
Also, if we are a new creature in Christ, then we’ve been made alive! What does it mean to be alive in Christ? Well, for one, heaven is our home. Also, as a follower of Christ, we have access to His power and His strength. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. In Christ, we can say no to sin, we can forgive, we can win the battles of our mind, and we have victory over death! And it is all because we have become a follower of Christ.
Choose Jesus, choose life and let your light shine! And find a Bible believin’ church where you “fit in” and know, grow, and follow Christ! Tell others! See y’all at church and keep PRAYIN’ for HIS HARVEST! Pray for the rain! Amen!