Turning From The OLD Life

Such a simple sentence isn't it? What is it like for you? Does it come easy? (if so PLEASE e-mail me how it is and where you've come from and what makes it so easy!!!) Are some days easier than others? Some days do you just wake up and think, "I'm gonna screw up today...I can just feel it". Or is that just me? What are some of your old descriptions of life? Here are some examples:

"Life is a hereditary disease."

"Life is a sentence that we have to serve for being born."

"Life is a predicament that precedes death."

"Life's a tough proposition; and the first hundred years are the hardest."

Those are depressing words that you may feel are true if your life doesn't include Jesus Christ. After you ask Jesus into your heart, you will have a new life! You will no longer be bound to your old sinful nature. You will receive a new loving nature dwelling within you from Christ. But it doesn't happen over night!!! It's a DAILY process. That's why we must continue to saturate ourselves in the Word.

God has declared you "not guilty," and you no longer have to live under the power of sin...how cool is that?!? Romans 3:22 says it well: "Now God says he will accept and acquit us-declare us 'not guilty' if we trust Jesus Christ to take away our sins."

Second Corinthians 5:17 says: "When anyone is joined in Christ he is a new being; the OLD is GONE, the NEW has COME." (emphasis mine). I don't know about you...but that pumps me up!!! In what ways does the "new life" demonstrate itself in us?

The OLD you said,

Save your life!
Get get get!
Lead, at all costs.
Lie; the truth only complicates things.
Hate your enemy

The NEW you says,

You must lose your life to keep it (Mark 8:35)

Give and it will be given to you (Luke 6:38)

Serve (John 13:12)

Speak the truth in love (Ephesians 4:29)

Love your enemy (Matthew 5:44)

It's a DAILY choice to seek and follow God's will. We can begin by going to the Bible regularly, opening it prayerfully, reading it expectantly and living it joyfully.

I'd like to conclude today's post with this sweet story. We can learn so much about uncomplicated faith from children.

The parent of a preschooler shared with the teacher and episode pertaining to her daughter's recent visit to the pediatrician. When the doctor got out the stethoscope to listen to the little girl's chest, she requested solemnly, "Please don't push too hard with that thing. I don't want you to hurt Jesus. He lives in my heart."

It's not easy...so let's, together, make a conscious decision daily to give our lives over to God. Because after all, it is His Son who lives within us! Be restored!!!