Happy “Newness” Sunday, Everyone!
When my wife and I (finally) gave our lives over to Christ, the scenery around our house changed. No, the trees outside were the same, the furniture in the living room was the same, all the aquarium fish were still the same fish. What changed were the people in our lives. Those who we knew as “friends” suddenly began to disappear. We didn’t have the same interests anymore. We didn’t see the world the same anymore. Even our thoughts on the future didn’t jive with what our “old” friends looked upon as their future. If you want to know who your true friends are…change your life! They will fall away like flies in a Raid can. Ours did. To be brutally honest, you can count our closest and best friends on one hand. Years ago it was much different, so called friends were everywhere as long as you scratched the same itch or laughed at the same jokes.
Friends, when Jesus Christ enters your life, you don’t grow wings; you don’t develop a halo, and you are miles and miles from being holy. When Jesus Christ comes into your life, the battle begins! What battle you say? Well, the battle that you were born into and never really knew it until now. You see, when we are born into this world we are born into a war. This war is with the flesh, the world, and Satan. And this war will bring battle after battle until the day you die. Some battles we will win and some battles we will loose.
Sunday’s Sunday school lesson is in Romans 6:1-23, and verses 1 & 4 tells us,”What shall we say then? Shall we continue to sin, that grace may abound?” “Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in “Newness” of life.” Sooooooooooooo, that’s why the scenery changed? Yep! The scenery changed because we changed. The Bible tells us that when we give our lives to Jesus, the “old Man” is no more and the new creation in Christ will emerge. All of a sudden, we become at odds with the flesh that sinned at will. We become odds with the world that had influence on our character and integrity. All of a sudden we come to the forefront of Satan’s attention because we no longer blend in; We Stand Out!
Ok, here we are, many years later. We have new friends, we have new life, we have new hope, and we have eternity with our Savior.
Verse 22 is so comforting this morning folks that I must share it before we’re through. “But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life.” The fruit in our lives goes from sour to sweet; unhealthy to healthy; weak to strong; ugly in His sight, to beautiful. Have you changed your life? Want proof? Check your fruit! Is it fresh and new, or is it spoiled and rancid? Do you crave God’s Word and look forward to Sunday school? Or do you take a pass? Do you care about your fruit, for example, your children? God’s Word is a two edged sword. It will protect you or cut you to the quick. Make the right choices my friends.
Let us reflect this week on the great things God has done for us. Let us praise him for blessing our Bible School this week.
It gives us great Joy knowing that no matter what the battle, our weapons are the Helmet of Salvation and the Sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. And most of all this week let us celebrate the Newness of Life we have in Christ.
I’ve got the Joy, Joy, Joy, Joy, down in my heart, (Where?)
Down in my heart, (Where?)
Down in my Heart.
I’ve got the Joy Joy Joy Joy, down in my heart,
Down in my heart to stay!
Have a blessed week beloved…Amen!
rnealg
