New in Christ (2 Cor 5:14-17)
We give glory to God for His message to us this mission week. As a process of renewal, the Lord is reminding us to let go of the old self and allow the new to take over. The Scripture before us reveals that in Christ we are new creatures.
Let us come this morning with a fresh understanding and allow God to speak to us:- All Christians must die to sin- We are no longer worldly but spiritual, and our old sin has to be nailed on the cross. There is that part of our old nature which never gets destroyed immediately we get saved. For example; Natural pride, love of sin, reliance on works for salvation, former opinions/passions of the flesh, self-promotion, self- righteousness and self justification. Sometimes we also reach a point where others are bad and we are good making. It becomes hard to repent, a characteristic of the Pharisee spirit that must be brought to death.We need to die daily and burry that nature whenever it rises up because we are all still in the struggle against the world, the flesh and the devil and we have not yet achieved. Onward Christian Soldiers matching to war is a song that reminds us that we are in the battle field until the last day.
Live within the will of God (John 1:12-13)-When we receive Christ and become new creatures, we gain the right to become children of God born out of His will. God creates in us something entirely fresh and unique.
Jesus Christ becomes Lord over our feelings, desires and Purpose. He gives us a fresh understanding of scripture, we yearn for fellowship, fade the old company, gain a renewed spirit of compassion, giving and serving the Lord. When lives are renewed pockets, bags and heart get renewed and we give to the Lord freely without questions.
Colossians 3:9 emphasizes the need for us to put off the old self with it practices and allow the new self to be renewed in the image and knowledge of God. Ephesians 4:24 calls upon us to put on true righteousness and holiness. Even if the past has gone and the new has come we have not reached the sinless perfect point, but at least we are on the way.
A redeemed Christian is sanctified, made holy day by day, continues to hate sin and grieves over it each time he or she fails. The Holy Spirit enables him or her to repent. A redeemed christian does not willingly walk into sin but seeks to mature and is no longer a slaves to sin (Romans 6:6-7).
At this stage one becomes alive in Christ with the kingdom of God as priority. May you experience the Lord’s renewal in every aspect of your life.
The Very Rev. Canon Dr. Rebecca Nyegenye,
The Provost.