Do you know as a believer that you are a brand new person? “But, I don’t feel new,” you say. Have you been a fearful, nervous, co-dependent, suicidal, success-driven, short-tempered, self-centered, victimized person?

Are we not reminded over and over again of our past life? Don’t we easily slip back into the old way of living, of thinking, of reacting?

New is forward

That is why it is essential that we live from the cross pointing forward. The past is crucified to us with all our faults, mistakes, and sins. It is behind us. We join Paul in looking forward, keeping our eyes on Jesus who is our Lord and Life. He is not looking behind us to see what we did wrong. Nor is He looking for us to do this Christian life from our resources. He wants to live it for us. He wants us to keep our ‘abilities’ crucified on the cross, keeping them out of the way, giving Him the freedom to live through us.

Such freedom! Such a relief! We have this new life in us living for us. The old is gone. All is new.  He wants to make us all new, maybe so new that your friends and family no longer recognize you. The old you is gone and they are amazed to see a new person in you. 

God wants to make you new

That is what God wants to do for you. Forget the old. Walk away from it and believe the statement in 2 Corinthians that says you are a new creation, not a fixed up person. No. A brand new person not chained to your old fears and faults. You have broken free. Actually, you have been freed. Someone else freed you. Let’s live free. Let’s give God permission every day to continue His transforming work in us.

New by faith

The statements in the Bible are true. It’s up to us to live like they are true. That is where faith comes in. Let’s live today like they are true. Then tomorrow let’s live like they are true. And the next day repeat, etc.  

We are not fearful, nervous, co-dependent, suicidal, success-driven, short-tempered, self-centered, victimized people. We are new. God doesn’t lie. It’s up to us to believe it. 

Words to light your path

Romans 6:4 We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life. ESV

2 Cor. 5:17Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.  ESV

Phil.  3:13b forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. NKJV

Father, Open our spiritual eyes to see the truth of our new birth, how it makes us a brand new person. The old is who we used to be, and we are no longer obligated to be who we were. You want to make us brand new. Give us courage to let go of who we have been, and allow You the privilege to make us new. Amen.

For more on this topic:

Getting Acquainted With the New You

Complete and Effective Divinity by Oswald Chambers

Exchanged Life