Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. (2 Corinthians 5:17)
Among the greatest joys available to a saint is the privilege of beginning again. God does not ask us to salvage or rehabilitate the old man, but to let him die out altogether. There is a new life Jesus prepares for His children, and He has no interest in recycling that which needs to be put away. Never be sympathetic with your old nature, but crucify him, pick up your cross daily, and follow Jesus. The resurrected life will be yours to enjoy forever.
It takes a new creature to thrive in the new creation. We must be willing to move on from all we've come to depend on, go beyond our own understanding, and let the Lord direct us into a deeper and fuller revelation of Jesus Christ. That is why our life with Him is called a "walk." God gives us a progressive outlook on everything through faith, and that is a new and different perspective altogether from the one we once had. The nation of Israel rejected God's invitation into a New Covenant. They refused to walk with Jesus, and it resulted in spiritual blindness that remains to this day. Let us not make the same grave error. The old has passed away, and the Kingdom has come -- not around you, but within you. Behold!
Let’s Pray – Dear Lord, I realize my blessings lie before me and not behind. Give me a forward-looking perspective, and I will expect good things as You keep the promises You have made in Your Word. In Jesus Christ, Amen.
Amen. My life looks promising when I look FORWARD. Whenever I begin to focus backwards.....I begin to sink like Peter experienced. I can't live in both worlds..and progress spiritually. I can't draw nearer to God and be attached to a rope that as HE moves forward I have baggage weighing me down so I can't keep walking WITH HIM. My old nature and everything pertaining to the old woman that I use to be has to go. There is some truth to the saying...Me, Myself, & I are my worst enemies. They must die in order for the fullness of Christ to reign freely in our lives. New means just that....NEW!!!! Pastor this morning I am glad to begin starting it afresh. I get a chance to do so each day the Father wakes me up....a new beginning. Morning.
ReplyDelete