Brand new kind of life.
Colossians chapter 3 verses 9 and 10.
Don't tell lies to each other; it was your old life with all it's wickedness that did that sort of thing; now it is dead and gone. You are living a brand new kind of life that is continually learning more and more of what is right, and trying constantly to be more and more like Christ who created this new life within you.
Do you think of your life as being brand new?
There is a huge difference between the way I used to live and the life I have with Christ. My old life was not a bad life. I was lonely, and controlled by addictions. It's silly for a person to let themselves think that they need alcohol or recreational drugs daily. For some, it becomes a habit that they enjoy. Addictions are controlling and take a grip that is hard to break. Christ is not like that.
Colossians continues to say, "In this new life one's nationality or race or education or social position is unimportant; such things mean nothing. Whether a person has Christ is what matters, and He is equally available to all."
In order for you to see Christ for who He is, you need to have a life with Him. And in order to believe in Him you need to gain faith in what He says He can do for you; in what the bible claims He can do and what so many others claim He has done to them.
It's like a fence. They have two sides and one will not be like the other. On one side is Christ and on the other is life without Christ. The side with Christ trusts in Him, talks with Him and are at peace with the home they have chosen. It's God's home where all are welcome.
The other side lives without Christ and do as they like. You can look at that whatever way you want to. There are so many varieties of the way people think what is the right way to live but just say this, it is without Christ. And that becomes a choice in which people may struggle with. The difference lies in the way we act.
Colossians continues with, "Since you have been chosen by God who has given you this new kind of life, and because of His deep love and concern for you, you should practice tender-hearted mercy and kindness to others. Do not worry about making a good impression on them but be ready to suffer quietly and patiently."
First we need to recognize that you came to God with a request and He heard your prayer and answered it. Was He already waiting to hear from you? He was, and has now brought you into a place of joy and relief. You never thought anyone was listening but God in His love for His children, has heard you and He has shown you and that has brought tears of amazed happiness to you.
Then we need to challenge and test the way we act. Your old way was to face each situation on your own. You are no longer alone. You choose to talk to Him about your life. He is your secret friend who hears your thoughts and you think others will not notice. A gift just for you. But that is not God's plan.
He has heard you and He has affected your life. The joy you are experiencing cannot be contained. You have changed and it is evident in your actions. Others may or may not accept the changes to you, but they also have the same choices that you do, so do not get discouraged.
Psalms chapter 32 says, "God is my hiding place from every storm of life; He even keeps me from getting into trouble! He surrounds me with songs of victory. The Lord says, I will instruct you and guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over your progress."
The changes are in the way we act. We are to get along with everyone but be cautious as to not get pulled back into our old habits. It would be a shame to put the wonderful gift of Jesus on the same pile as all the other gifts you have received over the years, you know the discarded and unused ones.
1 Peter chapter 2 says, "You have been chosen by God Himself---you are God's very own---all this so that you may show others how God called you out of the darkness into His wonderful light! Once you were less than nothing; now you are God's own. Once you knew very little of God's kindness; now your very lives have been changed by it."
Ephesians chapter 4 verses 23-32 say, "Now your attitudes and thoughts must be constantly changing for the better. Yes, you must be a new and different person, holy and good. Clothe yourself with this new nature. Stop lying to each other, tell the truth, for we are parts of each other and when we lie to each other we are hurting ourselves. If you are angry, do not sin by nursing your grudge. Do not be let the sun go down with you still angry---get over it quickly; for when you are angry you give a mighty foothold to the devil. If anyone is stealing he must stop it and begin using those hands of his for honest work so he can give to others in need. Do not use bad language. Say only what is good and helpful to those you are talking to and what will give them a blessing. Do not cause the Holy Spirit sorrow by the way you live. Remember, He is the one who marks you to be present on that day when salvation from sin will be complete. Stop being mean, bad-tempered and angry. Quarrelling, harsh words, and dislike of others should have no place in your lives. Instead, be kind to each other, tender-hearted, forgiving one another, just as God has forgiven you because you belong to Christ."
Romans chapter 12 tells us that we should not just pretend to love others; really love them. We are to hate what is wrong and stand on the side of good.
My old ways of living were not like that. I don't think I put too much thought into love, I was to busy having fun with my friends. Besides the relationships I did have showed me what it meant to feel hurt and disappointment. When I came to God I was seeking help for myself. But He asked me to love and I was not prepared for that. I had to learn how to trust and get to know what others were going through.
The things that are mentioned in Romans 12 rubbed me the wrong way. I was going to have to change if I wanted to experience God's love for me. Love each other with brotherly affection. Serve the Lord. Do not be lazy. Be prayerful always. Be enthusiastic. Help out those in need. Invite people home for dinner and let them stay over if needed. Be kind to those who hurt you. Don't quarrel. Do not act like you have all the answers. Do not avenge yourself.
All of these things were not part of who I was and so God was asking a lot of me. It was like pulling myself out of thick muck, the place that I enjoyed being in and had been forever. What I found out was that by trying hard to do just one of those requests, the people did respond with kindness. Even if they did not know it was happening.
In Matthew chapter 16, Jesus askes the question, "Who do you think I am?" Peter answers, "The Christ, the Messiah, the Son of the living God." Jesus answered with, "God has blessed you. For My Father in heaven has personally revealed this to you---this is not from any human source."
By serving the Lord you will come to know the love of the Lord and that it is only through Him that life can really be lived.
A brand new kind of life is to be had if you want it and are willing to do whatever it takes to find your way into a life with God.
Thank You Father for Jesus. Thank You, for where would we be without Your offer and Your mercy? 😊
Ephesians chapter 2 verse 10.
It is God Himself who has made us what we are and given us new lives from Christ Jesus and long ages ago He planned that we should spend these lives in helping others.
John chapter 1 verses 12 and 13.
Only a few would welcome and receive Him. But to all who received Him, He gave the right to become children of God. All they needed to do was to trust Him to save them. All those who believe this are reborn!---not a physical rebirth resulting from human passion or plan---but from the will of God.
Proverbs chapter 10 verse 19.
Don't speak to much. You keep putting your foot in your mouth. Be sensible and turn off the flow!
Matthew chapter 12 verses 33-35.
Jesus said, "A tree is identified by it's fruit. A tree from a selected variety produces good fruit; poor varieties do not. You brood of snakes! How could evil men like you speak what is good and right? For a mans heart determines his speech. A good man's speech reveals the rich treasures within him.
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