NEW LIFE
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
Jesus said, “Unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God” (John 3:3). Saying a prayer, or making a public commitment, or signing a decision card will not save you. Only being born again will do that and give you new life.
Spiritual Rebirth
Some will try to diminish the awesome reality of your spiritual rebirth. For example, you might hear someone say, “Even though you’re now a Christian, you must still undergo years of counseling to overcome the hurts you’ve experienced”. Others might say to you, “You may be born again, but you’ll continue to struggle with your sin, and hopefully you will eventually gain victory in areas of your weakness.”
However, the apostle Paul tells us that when you are “in Christ,” the old things pass away. In the moment of your salvation, every sin you ever committed is forgiven. Healing for every hurt you have ever suffered is available. Love and acceptance are yours despite every failure you have ever experienced. Your past, no matter how difficult or painful, is completely and thoroughly provided for. As a result, you are now a new creation, and you have new life!
Living In Faith
The profound testimony of Scripture is that the blood of Jesus Christ and the death of the Son of God is sufficient to completely free you from your sin. Read that again:
‘The blood of Jesus Christ and the death of the Son of God is sufficient
to completely free you from your sin.’
As you pray today, thank God for always looking over you! Thank Him for His Holy Word, which is full of examples of how to live in faith. Ask God to strengthen you, to sustain you, and to help you get back on the path of living in faith. Remind yourself – daily, if needed! – that change comes, not by our own will, but instead by turning your life over in faith to the One who has given you new life. Amen.
Source:
“Experiencing God Day-By-Day; The Devotional and Journal”, by Henry T. Blackaby and Richard Blackaby ©1997. Entry January 18.
Additional Reading:
A Little Faith
Spiritual Optimism