Written by Pastor Sbanga
“Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new” | 2 Corinthians 5:17KJV
Oh, what a declaration! What a statement. All things become new, as if they never existed before, just because ‘a man is in Christ’. This verse is loaded with meaning. If any man would discover the wealth of promises that this newness brings, that man will endevour to remain in Christ all His life. This is what Grace is all about. Jesus! How? Belonging to Him ushers you to a life of newness, freshness and unending success and health.
The Message Bible translation gives in simple, easy to understand English what this new life is, how it is different from a life of trying to please God? How is it different from other religions? Read for yourself what Jesus said in Matthew 11:28-30The Message (MSG)
“Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.”
This new life has no force on it, no bondage no heaviness. Our Lord Jesus says that if you watch him, He’ll show you how to take “real rest”. And the result is a life of “freedom”. But why is Christianity seemingly so hard for many people? Very simple. They have not embraced the “unforced rhythms of grace”. While many Christians are genuine in their passion and affection for God, the reality is they are doing it wrongly, using their own strength. The Apostle Paul, when he was called Saul, passionately killed believers in the name of preserving religion.
New Creation life is not about passion, not about zeal and not even about knowledge. Its about Jesus. Once Jesus comes into your heart, you have a new life. Its called eternal life, which is the very life of God in you! The whole of divinity wrapped up in you. That’s a new creation. But this new life is lived by watching, following and ultimately living in Jesus. Totally depending on Him, allowing His life to dominate yours.
Friends, I invite you to experience this new life. You could have been a Christian for many years without experiencing what is already in you. You could also been never a Christian. There is hope for you. You can invite Jesus in your heart today.