NEW NATURE AS BELIEVERS

Ephesians 4:22-23
You were taught to change the way you were living. The person you used to be will ruin you through desires that deceive you. However, you were taught to have a new attitude.
 
 
I don't know how many of us have looked at this scripture and pondered over it carefully. With me I realised, once I was able to surrender my heart to Jesus, certain things didn't mean anything to me any more and certain conversations I am not able to bring myself to have. I find it rather extraordinary and very exciting. To tell you the truth, I have lost a lot of my old friends too because we don't seem to have anything in common any more and these friends are actually Christians.

They think I am being over the top with my new found hope and joy in Christ and think it is an obsession. I am absolutely fine with being obsessed with Jesus because everyone is obsessed with something e.g., football, shoes, alcohol, sex, drugs etc. But I realised even though alot of us call ourselves Christians, our Spirit hasn't been renewed. The renewal and the rebirth of our Spirit man comes by way of total surrender to Jesus. So you may call yourself a Christian but actually you are not - false economy! Jesus said in Matthew 7:21,"Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven." Our actions and deeds as Christians are very vital because it is who we are - in other words, a way of life!

Being a Christian means, being Christ-like. People should see the difference between you and others, because of your way of life. I must admit it is a process! And although we have a new nature, our attitudes, thoughts and behaviour don't automatically change. I found that when you are madly and passionately in love with someone you just want to do everything to please them. And this also brings about trust making it easier for the Holy Spirit to work in our lives by renewing our heart and mind which brings about new attitude getting ride of the old sinful nature.

When I look back at myself even from last week, so much has changed. In actual fact some of the changes are so subtle that people around you might not notice the change however you just know it deep down in heart you have. And eventually and gradually it becomes more and more prominent in your day to day living for all to see. The things that upset you before don't any more, the friends you couldn't stand before you could now without making the effort. Everything becomes effortless! Even when you are in the storm of life you don't panic, worry or stress but you just know who you are and called to be. Your attitude towards life, situations and circumstances has a complete whole meaning and perspective.

My Pastor says its heart thing and yes it is. I want to encourage you to surrender your heart to Jesus today as the Holy Spirit the comforter leads, guide and help you on this journey of your new and transformed new life in Him. Don't worry about what others may say or think about you, "But you are not like that, for you are a chosen people. You are royal priests, a holy nation, God's very own possession. As a result, you can show others the goodness of God, for he called you out of the darkness into his wonderful light."-- 1 Peter 2:9
 
Reflections:
Does your life reflect what you profess?

Can others see a change in your attitude?
 
Power verses:
We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.-- Romans 6:4
 
and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.-- Ephesians 4:24
 
Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.-- 1 John 2:15
 
"But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said to you.--John 14:26
 
This is love for God: to obey his commands. And his commands are not burdensome,-- 1 John 5:3
 
We know that we have come to know him if we obey his commands.-- 1 John 2:3
 
"If you love me, you will obey what I command-- John 14:15
 
Whoever has my commands and obeys them, he is the one who loves me. He who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love him and show myself to him." -- John 14:21
 
2011 By Enyonam Gbekle. All rights reserved.