(Philippians 3:13)…..13 one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead,…..
Are you feeling older? Have you noticed how quickly things get old or outdated? New automobiles become old after driving them off the car lot. Computers become outdated in six months or less. Houses deteriorate and need repair. What’s new today will be old tomorrow. That is true about everything but the gospel. The gospel message is over 2,000 years old, yet it is still just as fresh and relevant for us today as it was when it was first written.
The core gospel is that Jesus Christ came to earth, lived a perfect life (Hebrews 4:15) (2 Corinthians 5:21) (1 Peter 2:21-22) and He willingly gave up His life (John 10:18) (Hebrews 1:3) by being sacrificed on a cross, was buried in a borrowed tomb (Matthew 27:57-60). He was then raised from the dead 3 days later (1 Corinthians 15:1-4) (Matthew 28:6) (1 Corinthians 15:20) (1 Peter 1:3) (1 Peter 1:21). Because He took the punishment for our sins (Isaiah 53:5) (Romans 4:25) (Galatians 1:3-4) (Hebrews 9:28). He can forgive our sins and make us children of God if we put our trust in Him and display an obedient faith in Him (Acts 13:38-39) (Galatians 3:24-27) (James 2:17-26) (Romans 1:5) (Romans 16:26) (Act 6:7).
Today is the first day of the rest of your life. How many of you have heard that statement before? Now, I don’t know who said that, or why they would say it. One thing I know is that each day that comes along will be as God had planned it, and what you and God make of it. Your past does not have to dictate your future. You can begin again. With God you really can have a fresh start. You see, God can forgive your past, and help you to grow each and every day after. God can change you. He can make you into a new creation! The Scriptures tell us in (2 Corinthians 5:17)…..Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation: old things have has passed away; behold, all things have become new!
When we are “in Christ,” old lifestyles are rejected, old values are rejected, old standards are repudiated, and old lusts are crucified (Romans 6:6) (Galatians 2:20). “In Christ” is where “all spiritual blessings” reside (Ephesians 1:3). “Out of Christ,“ there is nothing but death (Romans 6:23), remorse (Luke 23:39-41), hopelessness (2 Corinthians 7:10), (1 Thessalonians 4:13) and condemnation (Luke 23:40).
Maybe you are reading this devotion today and you’ve been wondering what a new life in Christ looks like, and how to get it. Well, you can have this “new” life if you believer in Jesus Christ (Acts 16:31) (Acts 4:12) (Hebrews 11:6). Your life can be different in Christ. But don’t think it will be
different if you don’t know Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, because it won’t be! Actively involve God in your life, consult with Him on
every decision. God is the best helper you will ever have.
[print-me}