The New!

The New!

Therefore if anyone is in Christ [that is, grafted in, joined to Him by faith in Him as Savior], he is a new creature [reborn and renewed by the Holy Spirit]; the old things [the previous moral and spiritual condition] have passed away. Behold, new things have come [because spiritual awakening brings a new life]. 2 CORINTHIANS 5:17 AMP

Paul's words here remind us of the change that occurs in a life that has decided to accept Jesus as Lord and Saviour. There is a remarkable difference between the life termed old and the new one birthed by God. The change first occurs inside the man before it is manifested outside the man. It has nothing to do with qualification or a sense of entitlement, but by the grace of God who calls men to Himself. All I need to do is have faith in His power to save and confess Him as Lord. That's how easy it is to be born again.

So, for all who have decided to accept Jesus, the change has occurred and the journey has begun. New standards have been set and new priorities and pursuits are birthed. The old loses its appeal, because it was based on the sinful human nature which could never submit to God's rules. It's a new nature, with new rules. If at anytime I find myself attracted to the old, it does not mean I have already missed it; it just calls for me to focus more on God and less on my own abilities and capacity, so I do not lose what I have received.

Appetites will change; friends will change; comfort focus will change; the things that used to matter will change, the eternal becomes more important than the earthly and the temporal. Those are just a few of the things the new life entails, and I must do an honest audit of my life to see if i am on the right path. Nobody else, except through the help of the Holy Spirit, can do this audit for you.

No matter your earthly status, personal networth, connections or position, remember: nothing down here was built to last forever. Only in Christ am I assured of a life that never ends, because Christ is the only One known to have conquered death. So, what's your decision? His time of favour is here.