Awakening to New Life

When I was in 6th grade I fell in love with a girl. Well, I “fell in love” at a girl. She wanting nothing to do with me. I was persistent, and decided to do something that would set me apart from all the juvenile 12 year old boys. Pour all my feeling out in writing so she knew I was serious. This did not go well you might imagine. Having no idea what I was talking about I referred to her as “my goddess of love.” Well, it did not take long for her and her friends to tell everyone else in my 6th grade class what I had written. It was humiliating.

Fast forward 6 year. My senior year. Still, when this girls friends saw me, they asked if she was still my goddess of love.

For 6 years of my academic career I wanted nothing more than a “do-over.” The ability to either go back and do something different, or undo something I had done.

Have you ever had a moment like that? You really just want a fresh start. The opportunity to go where no one knows your name or your past failures. No one to remind you of that relationship that you couldn’t save, the addiction you kept going back to. You could build a new reputation.

I submit that we have all felt this at one point or another. Every part of us wants a blank slate. It doesn’t seem realistic though. The food will always call to you when you feel rejected. The alcohol will be there when you have had a bad day. That relationship, though toxic, is comfortable and familiar. If I buy this thing it will fill the emptiness inside.

I have good news for you today. You can have a fresh start. Your past no longer has to define you. Because of Jesus, you have a choice.

Jesus came to give you new life. In fact, He came, died, and rose from the dead so that you can have a fresh start. It’s so much more than that. Freedom is a byproduct. What He offers is transformation. What Jesus offers is a new life. And it starts with a promise.

1. Promised Transformation in Christ

2 Corinthians 5:15–17 NLT

He died for everyone so that those who receive his new life will no longer live for themselves. Instead, they will live for Christ, who died and was raised for them. So we have stopped evaluating others from a human point of view. At one time we thought of Christ merely from a human point of view. How differently we know him now! This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!

Transformation is offered to everyone. Only those who receive God’s forgiveness and surrender their life to Him are “born again.” You get a fresh start!

Jesus explains this rebirth and it’s importance.

John 3:5–8 NLT

Jesus replied, “I assure you, no one can enter the Kingdom of God without being born of water and the Spirit. Humans can reproduce only human life, but the Holy Spirit gives birth to spiritual life. So don’t be surprised when I say, ‘You must be born again.’ The wind blows wherever it wants. Just as you can hear the wind but can’t tell where it comes from or where it is going, so you can’t explain how people are born of the Spirit.”

The promise of transformation. How amazing is that? The old is gone and a new life has begun!

Ask: “Am I walking in the transformation Jesus has done in me?”

2. Practicing Daily Renewal

Ephesians 4:21–24 NLT

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

This is the daily practice of that transformation. It is the tension we live in. We are no longer control or bound up by sin. However, we are still susceptible to it. It’ll creep in sometimes as well meaning actions. “I heard this about so and so, we should pray for them.” Gossip. “I knew that was going to happen. No one asked me, thought.” Pride. All sorts of different things will slide into our lives and try to pull us back to our old ways. Paul gives us a few examples to watch out for.

Ephesians 4:25–29 NLT

So stop telling lies. Let us tell our neighbors the truth, for we are all parts of the same body. And “don’t sin by letting anger control you.” Don’t let the sun go down while you are still angry, for anger gives a foothold to the devil. If you are a thief, quit stealing. Instead, use your hands for good hard work, and then give generously to others in need. Don’t use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them.

This is by no means a comprehensive list. It is here to show us to be on guard. As Jesus followers we have the ability to live a life free from sin. Are we still tempted? Yes. There is a huge difference between messing up and asking for forgiveness, and walking in willful disobedience.

Ask: “Did I put on Jesus or (blank) today?”

3. Persistent Focus on Christ

Colossians 3:1–4 NLT

Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits in the place of honor at God’s right hand. Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth. For you died to this life, and your real life is hidden with Christ in God. And when Christ, who is your life, is revealed to the whole world, you will share in all his glory.

But how? I don’t know what Heaven looks like? This is where the Holy Spirit is so vital.

Acts 1:4–5 NLT

Once when he was eating with them, he commanded them, “Do not leave Jerusalem until the Father sends you the gift he promised, as I told you before. John baptized with water, but in just a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.”

The Holy Spirit is our comforter and our guide. He is God, convicting us of sin and leading us into righteousness. But He also does not force His will. If He did, everyone would be a Christ follower and living the life they were created for. That is simply not the case. When we listen to the Holy Spirit’s direction in our life, we are transformed to be more like Jesus. There is a warning:

Ephesians 4:30–32 NLT

And do not bring sorrow to God’s Holy Spirit by the way you live. Remember, he has identified you as his own, guaranteeing that you will be saved on the day of redemption. Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior. Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.

The Holy Spirit has emotions. Did you know that? That is the only way He can feel sorrow. How do you cause the Holy Spirit sorrow?

Ignore His presence, leading

Unwholesome conversations

Hurtful or violent emotions and behavior

The danger that comes with grieving the HS is that, when done continually, leads to resistance to the Holy Spirit which can limit His activity in your life.

The last verse is key to this. “Get rid of….” Dispose of it. Throw all these things out of your life. Oh, and in case I didn’t list it, all evil behavior.

I’ve heard it said that it’s a lot easier to act like a Christian than react like one.

Just as grieving the HS can cause a disconnect from His, so does obedience secure our ability to sense and hear Him.

Ask: “How often do I focus on Jesus each day?”

Everyday is an opportunity for us to step into this new life we have been given in Jesus. It is a choice. It doesn’t happen automatically.

This new life is available to all.

No one is too far gone.

Today is your day