The New You In Christ
The Chosen
New Creations. In 2 Corinthians 5.17 the Apostle Paul says, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ he is a new creation; the old has gone and the new has come!” If you are a believer in Jesus Christ, that statement describes you! What Paul is saying, in a nutshell, is that the same God who created (CHOSEN) us TO BE in the image of His Son. The thoughts, attitudes, beliefs, purposes, habits, speech, and conduct that belonged to the old self have been re-placed with new ones! Or have they?
If we’re honest, we all recognize that while Paul’s statement is absolutely true - we THE CHOSEN - certainly seem to HAVE a lot of that old creation hanging around. We say things, do things, think things, and act in ways that reflect more our old self than this new self; we have a sort of identity crisis going on.
Identity Crisis. This ‘identity crisis’ is explained by the fact that there is a struggle going on inside us. In Galatians 5.17 Paul says, “For the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature. They are in conflict with each other, so that you do not do what you want.” The sinful nature (our old self) does not want to give way to the new self (which is being led and empowered by the Holy Spirit who dwells in us). So what are we to do?
Take Action. We’re not called to simply throw up our hands, declare “that’s just the way it is,” and wait around to go to heaven (an approach that far too many take). Rather we’re instructed to take action! In Colossians 3.5 Paul says, “Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature...” and, in 3.10, “put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator.” This requires active engagement in our own growth in Christ; the ‘new you’ must take action!
Yes, take action and live more and more as the new you in Christ. We are going to study the book of Colossians and discover from it the secret to living a 'new kind of life...Christ in YOU, the hope of glory." 1:27
We are the CHOSEN and Colossians is a book in the Bible that shows how God expects us to be alive in Christ. As His CHOSEN, we have a particular way we are to be living. Each Sunday morning we will discover the New You in Christ - THE CHOSEN!
PASTOR DON