The New You

The New You

“…Put on the new man who like God is created in righteousness and true holiness.” Ephesians4:24

In the days of the Old Testament, God has been transforming people and making them into new characters: “….I will put a new spirit within them….” And again: “A new heart also will I give you and a new spirit will I put within you…” (Ezekiel36:26) Then Christ came and through Him God gave us an example of what a new life should be like.

As God went about changing people, He had an aim in mind. He said He would give a new heart and a new spirit “ So that they may walk in my statutes …. and do them.” (Ezekiel 11:20)

God wanted a completely new way of life for all those who believed in Him and in Jesus Christ. “Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature. Old things are passed away; behold all things are become new.” (2 Cor. 5:17)

Do you feel new? Being “new” does not depend on your feelings. It depends on trusting God and taking Him at His Word. Why would God promise to make us new if He didn’t mean it? Furthermore He sent Christ to repeat it, and to prove it. We also see evidence of changes in the lives of people who have been transformed by their faith in Christ. This transformation is absolutely necessary for a new relationship and life with God. Jesus told Nicodemus, the lawyer, that he had to be “born again” to inherit eternal life.

What’s next after God has given this new life? St. Pail urges us: “For you were once in darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light,” and “be followers of God, as dear children.” (Ephesians 5:8&1). St. Paul also explains that since we are risen with Christ to a new life, we should “walk in newness of life.” (Romans 6:4)

So let us remember that with this new life in Christ, we have become members of His body and He is our model. The transformation is an ongoing process in our lives and the Holy Spirit is within us to help us to conform to the image of Christ. Al Jones