“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)
Have you ever been challenged to seek God more, let go of certain things or ways, and move deeper in consecration to God?
Perhaps you read it in scripture, heard a sermon, or listened to someone’s testimony. Did you feel a brief flash of fear or uncertainty? Perhaps you wondered “how can these things possibly be?” How can I possibly change? I am set in my ways, is it possible? Well, I have good news for you.
Yes, it is!
It is possible because you have been made new in Christ. Jesus was raised from the dead for the very purpose that you can be a new person when you put your faith in Him and live by His Spirit who dwells in you.
Romans 6:4 – “Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.”
What could be more impossible than a crucified Man rising on His own from the dead after three days?
But Jesus arose! And He is alive, interceding for us before God and preparing a place for us. Therefore, we can be made new. And we are!
What is that thing/habit/sin/weakness you are struggling to overcome? Do you sometimes doubt that you can be steadfast and grounded in God?
Romans 6:11 says “Even so consider yourselves to be dead to sin [and your relationship to it broken], but alive to God [in unbroken fellowship with Him] in Christ Jesus.”
Consider yourself dead to sin and to every way of your old self because you have been crucified with Christ, and Christ now lives in you (Galatians 2:20). You are not helpless!
Believe what God’s Word says about your newness and live by faith, by obeying the Word of God. Let your daily life be guided by the Spirit of God. You no longer live by the flesh but by the Spirit of God.
Galatians 5:24-25 – “And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.”
Continue to confess the truth of God’s Word and make decisions based on Scripture and the leading of the Holy Spirit, not the flesh. That is the new life!
PRAYER: Thank you Jesus for Your death, burial and resurrection. Your Word says I am made new because I am in Christ, therefore I refuse to be held bound by any evil habits. Thank You because my old self is crucified and I can live in newness of life. Lord, please help me to always reckon it within me that I am dead to sin and alive to God. Holy Spirit, help me to walk daily with You and in You, not by the flesh. In Jesus Name, I pray. Amen!