New Creations in Christ

A powerful witness of God's power to save is the testimony of lives changed by faith in Jesus.  Whilst being born-again through the Gospel does not always result in immediate, overt transformation, what God does on the inside is real and profound.  Jesus Christ alone can change Saul of Tarsus the Pharisee to Paul the apostle.  He went from going on the warpath to accuse and persecute Christians to gladly counting everything loss for the sake of knowing Jesus Christ, and he willingly gave his life rather than deny the LORD Jesus.

Paul shared how being in Christ transformed his life in 2 Corinthians 5:14-17:  "For the love of Christ compels us, because we judge thus: that if One died for all, then all died; ¹⁵ and He died for all, that those who live should live no longer for themselves, but for Him who died for them and rose again. ¹⁶ Therefore, from now on, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we have known Christ according to the flesh, yet now we know Him thus no longer. ¹⁷ Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new."  As Jesus was raised to new life by His resurrection from the dead, Christians are made new creations, compelled by God's love to live for God who graciously loves us.  Above all other people, Christians can testify personally of the power of God at work through the Holy Spirit who makes us new creations in Christ.  At the very least we ought to ascribe power of God to change anyone, even if it seems unlikely or impossible:  for what is impossible with men is possible with God.

While we are saved by grace through faith in Jesus, it does not follow we always trust God as we should.  We can become cynical and even harbour doubt God could change other people.  We can apply this assumption to churches as well (groups of people saved and being changed by God's grace), and ridiculously imagine the church is static and unchanged over time.  After my arrival in Australia, I was a bit surprised when people voiced opinions of our church, a previous pastor, or congregants who had not been to the church in some time.  It is like visitors or former congregants imagined the church was currently as they perceived it previously--when God is continuing to refine each member of the church day by day.  It may be that there are Christians who are stuck in a legalistic rut, have their hobby-horse doctrines, odd mannerisms, or interests we find strange.  But let us never limit God by assuming His people are doomed to remain as they are and churches by extension must suffer the same fate--as if Jesus is not involved in the salvation and sanctification of His people.

Hopefully I am not the same man I was 10 years ago because I have grown in faith, love, grace and wisdom.  Even if a church has not grown numerically in a decade, God-willing members have matured in faith before the LORD and are increasing in love one for another.  I wonder if we can be quicker to write off Christians changing for the better than believing God can save lost sinners!  How is it brethren, we believe God can turn Saul into Paul but do not trust God can make a Paul more godly, loving and gracious day by day?  The letters Jesus sent to the churches in Asia plainly show God wants churches He has things against to repent of sin and to return to their first love.  Through faith in Him, transformation is possible.  A church that over time took on a legalistic and harsh flavour by Jesus in the midst can be changed to have the inviting savour of grace, love and kindness.  With God, this is more than possible:  it is what Jesus does.

One Defining Characteristic

"A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. ³⁵ By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another."

John 13:34-36

God's people were commanded to love the LORD their God with all their hearts, and Jesus upped the ante in person as Immanuel to love one another as He loved them.  It was not boldness, devotion, intelligence or study of God's word but the love of Jesus that was to be their defining characteristic as His disciples.  God's love stands alone from all love that is found in the world.  Jesus went on to demonstrate His love for sinners by freely and willingly dying on the cross to atone for lost sinners so they might have abundant life through Him.

The love of Jesus was seen throughout His life and ministry on earth, and it was brought to the attention of the people of Bethany by His tears.  Jesus went to Bethany after He knew His friend Lazarus had died, and by the time Jesus arrived he had been buried four days.  John 11:33-36 states, "Therefore, when Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who came with her weeping, He groaned in the spirit and was troubled. ³⁴ And He said, "Where have you laid him?" They said to Him, "Lord, come and see." ³⁵ Jesus wept. ³⁶ Then the Jews said, "See how He loved him!"  Jesus was moved emotionally and groaned when He saw people lamenting the death of Lazarus.  When He wept at the tomb of Lazarus, people could see He really loved him.

In those days it was common to hire professional mourners to show kindness to those mourning in addition to honouring the deceased, and this service was seen by some as a fulfillment of loving your neighbour as yourself.  The tears of Jesus were a demonstration of His love for Lazarus.  God who transcends time entered time and Jesus lingered in that sorrowful moment, despite knowing His plan to raise Lazarus from the dead.  He groaned within Himself as He approached the tomb, and Jesus directed the people to remove the stone from the mouth of the tomb.  John 11:41-42 reads, "Then they took away the stone from the place where the dead man was lying. And Jesus lifted up His eyes and said, "Father, I thank You that You have heard Me. ⁴² And I know that You always hear Me, but because of the people who are standing by I said this, that they may believe that You sent Me."  At the command of Jesus, Lazarus came forth from the tomb and many people believed Jesus was the promised Messiah, the Son of God.

There is everything to admire in Jesus:  His power, wisdom, boldness, grace and patience.  There is no end to how wonderful and amazing Jesus is to call unworthy disciples, do countless miracles. always speak the truth, knows perfectly the hearts of men, to take little children in His arms, and show deep interest and care for those who had little or no honour in society.  But if I had to pick one defining characteristic of my Saviour Jesus, it would be His love that undergirds everything He said and did and flavours everything about Him.  Brothers and sisters in Christ, of anything we might be known for, may it be our love of Jesus Christ shown to one another.  I may not be the most bright, clever, brave, strong, kind or gentle, yet may God say of me, "He really loves Jesus."  If this feat is ever accomplished, it will be God's doing and by His grace.  Is that how you want to be known by others--how they would sum up your life--as one who loves Jesus?

Born Twice, Died Once

The Christian's faith in God is according to knowledge revealed in the Bible, God's word.  As it is written, "Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God" (Romans 10:16-17).  As conversations between parents can go over their young children's heads, even when we have read through the Scriptures many times it is likely timeless truth has escaped the notice of born-again children of God until now.  There are also many things we know and believe to be true we have yet to appropriate, apply to our lives or guide our perspective.  Exposure to the word of God leads to our salvation, and a regular diet of God's word contributes mightily to our sanctification and spiritual maturity.

During recent study I came across a quote attributed to D.L. Moody that drove home an important point:  "He who is born once will die twice; he who is born twice will die once."  Every living human being was born of two parents, and due to sin everyone will die physically and also face the second death God spoke of in Revelation 20 & 21.  Those who are born-again by faith in Jesus, having been born a second time, will not be hurt by the second death that involves eternal torment in hell.  The death of our bodies will be the only death we face.  The awesome truth for Christians is our death is actually in the past, for by faith in Jesus we are baptised into Christ's death and resurrection.

Paul wrote to Christians in Romans 6:1-4:  "What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound? ² Certainly not! How shall we who died to sin live any longer in it? ³ Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? ⁴ Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life."  In coming to Christ as Saviour, we have died to sin because Jesus tasted death for us, having provided atonement through His sacrifice on Calvary.  Spiritually speaking born-again Christians look upon the death of Jesus on the cross and realise we died with Him, and now we are risen with Him.  Thus we are to walk in newness of life, put off all sin and live in freedom from fear of death.

Before Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead, He affirmed Christians whose bodies die never die because He gives eternal life to all who trust in Him.  John 11:25-26 reads, "Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. ²⁶ And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?"  Jesus previously spoke about Lazarus, who had been dead due to an illness four days, as sleeping.  Because humans were created by God in His image, we will all face the judgment of God as conscious beings after the death of our bodies to either enter into the rest and joy of the LORD in His presence by the Gospel or be damned to hell in eternal torment for our sin--which is the second death.  Those who are born twice will die only once all because Jesus became sin for us so we might be made the righteousness of God in Him (2 Cor. 5:21).

Colossians 3:1-3 exhorts believers in light of all Jesus is who is our life, "If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. ² Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. ³ For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God."  For Christians, our death should not loom fearfully in our future but is already over.  Having been raised with Christ, we are to seek those things which are above, that which is enduring, timeless and glorious--living after the glorious pattern of Christ rather than according to sinful flesh.  Thanks be to God who has taken away the sting of death and given us a glorious future and new identity through Jesus.  Knowing our death is in the past and we are called to walk by our Saviour in newness of life, this realisation by the power of the Holy Spirit will transform the way we live today.

In Land Not Sown

"Moreover the word of the LORD came to me, saying, ² "Go and cry in the hearing of Jerusalem, saying, 'Thus says the LORD: "I remember you, the kindness of your youth, the love of your betrothal, when you went after Me in the wilderness, in a land not sown."

Jeremiah 2:1-2

God is the same yesterday, today and forever; He is faithful and good towards all, and His people know this well.  Through the prophet God addressed His people, the children of Israel, about how over time they had changed.  During the season when God led them like a flock through the wilderness, they followed Him by faith with fervent desire.  This newborn nation followed God like a betrothed woman sought out her husband to walk with him--with only eyes for Him.  Sadly, Israel's devotion and kindness toward God did not remain steadfast.  God remembered how Israel once followed Him in the wilderness:  in a land not sown.

It is significant Israel followed God in a land not sown, for in this barren land there was no hope of harvest, wealth from a crop, or food for their little ones.  In the early days Israel did not follow God in the hope of personal gain, hoping to get something out of him like a gold digger who seeks to profit from the rich.  Over time the children of Israel continued with sacrifices, tithing and keeping feasts according to the Law of Moses, but their works became transactional and tinged with selfishness rather than kind and loving as in their youth when they gladly went after Him in the wilderness.  Boaz commended Ruth when she asked him to perform the duty of a kinsman redeemer in Ruth 3:10:  "Then he said, "Blessed are you of the LORD, my daughter! For you have shown more kindness at the end than at the beginning, in that you did not go after young men, whether poor or rich."  Boaz was a great deal older than Ruth, yet she did not go looking for the youngest, most handsome men to redeem her.  Instead she went to the one who already showed her kindness in providing a safe place to glean.

Even in early days God witnessed the departure of His people to go after idols that never saved a soul or helped them, and this was memorialised in in Moses' song in Deuteronomy 32:16-17:  "They provoked Him to jealousy with foreign gods; with abominations they provoked Him to anger. ¹⁷ They sacrificed to demons, not to God, to gods they did not know, to new gods, new arrivals that your fathers did not fear."  Though God had protected them and provided for all their needs, they were enticed by their lusts to seek benefits by worshipping idols that were not God.  The kindness spoken of by the prophet Jeremiah and Boaz conveys loyal love, faithfulness and joint obligation, godly character that ought to mark God's children expressed towards Him as we follow His example towards us.  God desires that we would gladly, freely seek Him and follow Him by faith in a land not sown, knowing He is our life and will supply all our needs.

Do you pray, read the Bible, go to church and serve out of love for the LORD--or because He has something you want?  We often can tell when people come to us with ulterior motives, and God is not fooled when we come to Him for selfish reasons.  As God's adopted children by faith in Jesus, let us be those who show more kindness at the end than at the beginning because we remember how kind and loving God has always been to us.  Even in a land not sown we should not be weary of doing good, for the LORD has promised we will reap if we do not lose heart.  Haven't we already received all we need for life and godliness by His grace (2 Peter 1:3)?