Old, New or Just Re-cycled??? Vol. 5 #11 We hear so much today about ‘re-cycling” today that it overflows into our every thought and action, and I fear it has also slipped into our Christian lives. We get into a mindset where we are determined to ‘deliver’ all the objects, substances and people around us. We expect to re-use, re-surface, re-mold, re-make and re-purpose everything from newsprint to automobiles. But there is a problem with this idea when it spills over into the spiritual realm. So many around us are equating salvation with ‘turning over a new leaf’, or recycling a ‘soul’!!! Just show someone how to ‘clean up’ his or her life, their behavior, their choices, their life-style or their ‘religion’. Well friends, that isn’t what Jesus came to do! He came that we might be ‘born again’. John 3:3-7, “Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. 4 Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mothers womb, and be born? 5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. 6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7 Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.” Jesus said, be ‘born again’—not cleaned up, fluffed up, remolded, renewed or re-purposed, but ‘born again’. Made new by the power of the crucified, buried and risen Lord Jesus. NO other way will work. This is what we see also in John 1:12-13, “ But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: 13 Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.” Born again “not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God…” by a supernatural work of God. A new creation, intrinsically new, NOT recycled flesh but a totally revitalized and intrinsically NEW person on the inside, which will be reflected on the outside. As Paul shares with the Corinthians, 2 Corinthians 5:17-21, “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. 18 And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; 19 To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation. 20 Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christs stead, be ye reconciled to God. 21 For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.” We are made new by the reconciling and atoning death of Jesus Christ and nothing else. And when we are reconciled to God (made right with God by the substitutionary death of Jesus Christ our Lord), God has paid for our sin at Calvary, where Christ was made sin for me/you, and when we believe in HIM, we receive His righteousness credited to us. And as His Spirit indwells us, He is working to make us more and more like Jesus. Romans 8:28-31, “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. 29 For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. 30 Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified. 31 What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?” How? By the work of the blood of Jesus by the Father! Colossians 1:13-14, “ Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: 14 In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:” We are delivered from Satan’s power, and transferred into the Kingdom of Jesus!!! Praise the Lord!!! It’s all about Jesus. I have one desire and that is to please the One that saved me. To serve, exalt and promote the name of Jesus; the saving, atoning work of Jesus; and the truth that only He can save those who come to HIM. Only Jesus! As Peter told the religious leaders shortly after the ascension of Jesus, it’s all about Jesus. His salvation, His death for my sin and yours, His power to give ‘new birth’: Acts 4:9-12, “If we this day be examined of the good deed done to the impotent man, by what means he is made whole; 10 Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole. 11 This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner. 12 Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.” As a friend once told me years ago, “you only have one song”, meaning every answer involves JESUS!!! May He be the only song in my heart, the one word on my lips and the one seen through my writings? If not for Jesus, I have no real purpose to pursue these things. But, praise God Almighty, I do have Jesus and He has given me salvation, hope and a purpose— 1 Corinthians 10:31, “Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.” I Corinthians 2:2, “For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified.” How do we accomplish this? Only one way! By living the crucified life. Galatians 2:20-21, “I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. 21 I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain.” He is my all in all!!! May you know Him and grow in HIS grace and power. That you can live your life “by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me”.
Posted on: Mon, 19 Jan 2015 04:06:39 +0000
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