We are new creations in Christ. So, what were we and what are we now?

12 Do you see a person wise in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool [one who knows what is wrong, but does it anyway] than for him [he can’t see his folly].

So, what were we like? We were egocentric, self-absorbed, and wise in our own eyes. We were entitled, proud, vain, impatient, selfish, angry, arrogant, spiteful, full of rage, gluttonous (these were pulled from Romans 13:13, Galatians 5:19-21, Titus 3:3]. We lived to serve ourselves or we focused on someone who we thought could give us what we needed. Either way, it was about us.

What happens when we receive the Spirit of Christ? He begins to transform us into selfless, abandoned, humble, kind, self-denying, compassionate, diligent, pure-thinking, forgiving, gentle, loving, and even-tempered Christ followers (see Ephesians 4-5 and Galatians 5:22-23).

Which list do we find ourselves seeking to be and do? It lets us know where we need work. In fact, right now you are thinking, “I really want to be the second list, but it looks impossible.” True, but the fact that you want that list shows that you have the Spirit of Christ in you! Also, we were never meant to do the list by ourselves. HE gives us first the desire and then the power to do it–He wants to do it with us. We are partners with Christ (He’s the senior partner).

If, by chance, you don’t have the pull to be the second list and some of the first list hits you between the eyes, let’s go over the basics:

1. Has there ever come a time in your life that the Spirit revealed to you that you were dead in your sins, that there was nothing good in you, and that you needed Him? If we were to go to the morgue and pull out one of the drawers, we would find a dead body. There is not a cell left in that body with any life in it, and therefore, there is no way it can help itself come back to life. That body needs the spark of life put back into it. Spiritually, we all start the same way, dead. Jesus wants to put the spark of eternal life into us.
2. Have you asked God to give you new life with Jesus at the controls? He wants to be “senior partner” in a partnership with you.
3. Has the Holy Spirit come into your life and made His home in your heart? This is how we are made into new creations where the old life with its sinful habits passes away and the new life in Christ comes! The change that has begun in us may be slow in revealing itself, but it’s sure.

The nice thing about following Christ is that He really just expects us to do the next right thing. That’s all. He will direct us in that right thing. All we have to do is obey Him. He will even empower us to do it as He does it with us. All of the changes in that second list come by walking in step with the Savior (Galatians 5:25). He rubs off on us! By focusing on Jesus and His character, we begin to emulate Him in character. Pleasing Him pleases us. He is always pleased with us, but we find peace and joy when we are obedient to Him. The camaraderie we share with Him is out of this world!

As we worship in our respective houses of worship, may we align ourselves with Him. May we praise Him and worship Him and pledge our lives to Him. May we do the next right thing according to His direction and His participation in our lives. THAT’S how new creations live!

Abba, thank You for making me a new creation. Having You in my life is worth everything to me. And Your promises–WOW! You will never leave me nor forsake me, and You will be coming back for me real soon to take me to where You are. It doesn’t get any better than that! Even so, come, Lord Jesus. Amen.