A New Life in Christ
When we decide to follow Jesus we’ve been raised to a new life in Christ. But what exactly does that mean? The Passion Translation in Colossians 3:1 says, “Christ’s resurrection is your resurrection, too.” Meaning, because of Jesus’ death on the cross and subsequent resurrection from the dead, we’ve been raised to a new life in Jesus when we say ‘yes’ to Him. It might seem confusing and quite difficult to understand but it doesn’t have to be. Jesus came and died to cover all the sins of all the people that ever lived. When we give our lives to Him and make the choice to follow Him, we get a new life in Him.
Here’s three things to help you with your new life path.
Adjust your focus.
When we say yes to Jesus, our old life is gone, right? Unfortunately no, not always. What tends to come naturally to most of us is to choose the things that we are used to and that feel good in the moment. Our attention and desires are often set on the temporary joys and sorrows of this world. But God wants so much more and much, much better for us. However we must do our part and fix our eyes on Jesus so that the burdens and struggles in this world don’t continually rob us of new life. Sending us back to square one or, even worse, discouraging us so we decide we can’t do this! Yes. You. Can. Don’t quit!
“casting all your cares [all your anxieties, all your worries, and all your concerns, once and for all] on Him, for He cares about you [with deepest affection, and watches over you very carefully].”
1 Peter 5:7 AMP
Make Him your life.
Too often we don’t do this. Jesus might be part of our lives but He isn’t our whole life. Basically, we ask Jesus to be our Savior, which allows us to spend eternity with Him, but we aren’t quite sure we want Him to be the Lord of our lives and rule every aspect while here on earth. We only give Him what is comfortable and, quite honestly, easy to give. We often think that just because we’ve become Christians we should supernaturally change. That when we say yes to Jesus, He comes into our lives and we just change without any effort on our part. And while that can happen because our God can do anything, we still have to be engaged in the battle for our spiritual welfare and holiness. It takes work, it takes effort, it takes dedication and it is a forever commitment. It’s simple but it isn’t easy if it were everyone could and would do it!
“Set your mind and keep focused habitually on the things above [the heavenly things], not on things that are on the earth [which have only temporal value]. For you died [to this world], and your [new, real] life is hidden with Christ in God. ”Colossians 3:2-3 AMP
Don’t give up.
Stay the course you can do this. Find a good church somewhere that engages you and wants to help you understand everything biblical and lead you into a deeper relationship with God. Find your community. Get around like minded people who love Jesus and live to talk about Him. Also find a mentor, someone who will come along side you to encourage you and teach you. Become a mentor yourself. It’s never too early to start sharing what God is doing in your life. Partner up and start learning together. Create your community, people who will stay the course with you. In this digital age is easier than ever to find groups of like minded people. But I would encourage in person groups above anything else. You can’t make the same connections over Zoom or any other digital hangout as you can face to face. Be bold, take control of your life and future. Cultivate your relationships.
“and let us consider [thoughtfully] how we may encourage one another to love and to do good deeds, not forsaking our meeting together [as believers for worship and instruction], as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more [faithfully] as you see the day [of Christ’s return] approaching.”
Hebrews 10:24-25 AMP