The Power of New Life

Titus 3:4–7 NKJV

4 But when the kindness and the love of God our Savior toward man appeared, 5 not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit, 6 whom He poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior, 7 that having been justified by His grace we should become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.

I want to talk to you about living in the power of the new life.

Jesus promised those who trust Him a new, superior, and abundant life (cf. John 10.10). When we put our faith in Him we undergo a transformation beginning in our spirit. The Bible calls this being, born again or born from above (John 3.7).

Another term for it is palingenesia which is translated regeneration. This word, and others that are used to convey the change which the Holy Spirit brings in us all speak of

The New Bible Dictionary, Third Edition Regeneration

a drastic and dramatic change which may be likened to birth, rebirth, re-creation or even resurrection. Several of the terms in their context indicate that this change has permanent and far-reaching effects in its subject.

The new life that takes place in the life of the believer truly is a higher order of life.

2 Peter 1:3–4 NKJV

3 as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue, 4 by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.

What a great promise—all things pertaining to life and godliness! Through the promises of God and our intimate knowledge of Christ we become participants in the life of God.

And we receive those promises and that life as we come to know Him (cf. Philippians 3.10). Though the promise is of God and the power is of God we are not simply passively transformed. We have to partner with God and allow Him to work in us so that we can become who He calls us to be.

As we submit to God and His process we will enter into the new life. Our lives will be marked by His presence and power and people will notice.

True Transformation

There are counterfeits of true holiness and sincere faith (Ephesians 4.23, 1 Timothy 1.5). There are good things that we often lean on as substitutes for transformation. And while they can be of some use they can not produce the change in our lives that we need.

Church attendance, by itself, does not make us new. Example: being in a garage does not make us a car.

Neither a good spiritual education or environment guarantee that we will be made new. Example: Joash followed God as long as Jehoida was in his life (2 Chronicles 24.2).

Growing up in church or being very religious does not make you new. Example: Saul, before he became an apostle, was very religious while he killed Christians (Acts 26.5).

Having emotional experiences do not necessarily make you new. Example: the seed on rocky soil sprouted up quickly with joy and died when persecution and trial came (Mark 4.5-6, 16-17).

All of these things can be used by God as a means of grace to bring transformation in our life but they do not possess the power to change us on their own.

Romans 7:14–24 M:BCL

14 I can anticipate the response that is coming: “I know that all God’s commands are spiritual, but I’m not. Isn’t this also your experience?” Yes. I’m full of myself—after all, I’ve spent a long time in sin’s prison. 15 What I don’t understand about myself is that I decide one way, but then I act another, doing things I absolutely despise. 16 So if I can’t be trusted to figure out what is best for myself and then do it, it becomes obvious that God’s command is necessary. 17 But I need something more! For if I know the law but still can’t keep it, and if the power of sin within me keeps sabotaging my best intentions, I obviously need help! 18 I realize that I don’t have what it takes. I can will it, but I can’t do it. 19 I decide to do good, but I don’t really do it; I decide not to do bad, but then I do it anyway. 20 My decisions, such as they are, don’t result in actions. Something has gone wrong deep within me and gets the better of me every time. 21 It happens so regularly that it’s predictable. The moment I decide to do good, sin is there to trip me up. 22 I truly delight in God’s commands, 23 but it’s pretty obvious that not all of me joins in that delight. Parts of me covertly rebel, and just when I least expect it, they take charge. 24 I’ve tried everything and nothing helps. I’m at the end of my rope. Is there no one who can do anything for me? Isn’t that the real question?

The answer to that question is that only God—through Jesus Christ can do it (Romans 7.25).

We need to learn how to present ourselves to God and and participate with Him in spiritual formation.

Transformation is a gift of God’s grace that we receive and apply as we participate in the nature of Christ and live in the power of new life.

Walking in the Power of New Life

Jesus is the Way, Truth, and Life (John 14.6). He leads us on the paths of righteousness (Psalm 23.3). As we learn the way of the Master and follow Him we will enter into the power of new life.

Here are some ways that we get started on our journey with God into new life.

Walk in New Holiness

1 John 5:18 NKJV

We know that whoever is born of God does not sin; but he who has been born of God keeps himself, and the wicked one does not touch him.

New life in Christ results in new actions. We actively work to stop practicing sin.

Ephesians 4:21–24 NLT

21 Since you have heard about Jesus and have learned the truth that comes from him, 22 throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life, which is corrupted by lust and deception. 23 Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes. 24 Put on your new nature, created to be like God—truly righteous and holy.

Illustration: Coming out of the field with a stinky, dirty uniform. Had to peel it off before I could come inside the house. Then I could take a shower, get clean, and put on new clothes.

Choose holiness. Choose righteousness. Let the Spirit of God renew your thoughts and attitudes so that you can truly begin to experience the power of new life.

Walk in New Love

1 John 4:7 NKJV

Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God.

One of the hallmarks of the new life is a change in our affections. And that starts with experiencing a profound love for God.

John 14:21 NKJV

He who has My commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves Me. And he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and manifest Myself to him.”

One of the evidences of our love for God is that we keep His word. To enter into new life means to put God first, above all things.

Matthew 10:37–39 NLT

37 “If you love your father or mother more than you love me, you are not worthy of being mine; or if you love your son or daughter more than me, you are not worthy of being mine. 38 If you refuse to take up your cross and follow me, you are not worthy of being mine. 39 If you cling to your life, you will lose it; but if you give up your life for me, you will find it.

This may be one of the hardest sayings of Jesus but it is critical to the new life. We have to love Jesus and prioritize Him over everyone—family, friends, self—and everything.

When we love like this we will find new life.

Illustration: The foundation of a building…the foundation of love

Naturally flowing from our love of God is a love for other believers.

John 13:35 NKJV

By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”

One of the evidences of the power of new life is that we walk in love. We prioritize God and His love. Everything else becomes secondary.

Our love for God is so noticeable that it can also be seen in our love for others. No longer are we ruled by a love for self or a love for things. We now walk in a new love.

Walk in New Victory

1 John 5:4 NKJV

For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith.

When we receive new life in Christ we now have power over temptation and even over all the power of the enemy (Luke 10.19).

Revelation 12:11 NKJV

And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death.

The blood of Jesus cleanses us from sin and gives us access into the presence of God (1 John 1.7, Hebrews 10.19).

The word of our testimony is a powerful weapon against the everything that the world, flesh, and devil throw at us. The word of our testimony is the word of God and of Jesus’ work (Ephesians 6.17, Revelation 12.17).

When we received the new life of Jesus we received new victory. We have spiritual weapons and grace through which we can put to death the deeds of the flesh and live in new life (Romans 8.13).

We walk in victory by enforcing it. We enforce it by declaring the truth of God’s word into our life and circumstances. We enforce it by refusing lies and resisting temptation (cf. James 4.7).

Illustration: Talking Back by Evagrius.

You are no longer defeated and under the power of the evil one. You are free in the freedom of Jesus. You are the head and not the tail. Don’t let the roar of the devil scare you. Stand in the power of the word and strength of the blood of the lamb. Live in the victory that comes from the power of new life.

Conclusion

John 1:12 NKJV

But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name:

When we put our faith in Jesus we are given the right to become God’s children. This means that we receive new life. And that life is not just any kind of life. This is a spiritual life. It is a supernatural life. It is a new, superior, and abundant life (cf. John 10.10).

When we embark on the journey of faith with Jesus and walk in His ways we will experience transformation. Our life will change for the better as we share in the divine nature.

Illustration: Fruit tree. Planted. Weeded. Fertilized. Tended. Cared for. Fruit.

Partner with the process of God as you become like Christ.

Walk in holiness and choose God’s ways. Walk in love and choose God first. And walk in new victory through the power of the Spirit.

As you do those things you will become who you were meant to be and begin to live according to the purpose of God for your life (Romans 8.29, Ephesians 2.10).