Monday 4 February 2013

Living as new creations in Christ

 (photo by Hannah Schulze)

Glory to God!

Yesterday the Lord spoke to us about our new identity in Christ and what it means to live by faith in what God says about us as believers. The apostle Paul lived by faith in his new identity in Christ. He demonstrated his faith by the way he lived his life. Who he believed he was in Christ influenced how he lived his life. The apostle Paul's life demonstrates a life that reached up, reached in and reached out.Similarly the disciple of Christ who believes in his new identity in Christ will reach up, reach in and reach out.

Reach up.

By faith in his new identity in Christ, Paul no longer lived for himself but as a son of God for Christ (see Gal. 2:19,20; Phil. 3:7-10). He reached up by living to know Christ and living for Him. Those who truly believe and are "fully persuaded" (see Rom. 4:17-23) that they are sons of God will demonstrate their faith by how they reach up in their daily lives. Faith works through love as the believer reaches up because of his love for God's presence and because of his faith in his new identity in Christ as a child of God.

Reach in.

By faith in his new identity in Christ, Paul lived as a member of Christ's Body and lived for the Church (see Rom. 12:4,5; Col. 1:24-29).He reached in by living for the people of God and using his gifts and resources to build up the members of Christ's Body. Likewise, if the believer has faith in his new identity in Christ as a member of His Body, he will demonstrate that faith by living to serve and love the Church. God calls every believer to recognise his new identity in Christ as a member of Christ's Body and to live a life of love for God's people.

Reach out.

By faith in his new identity in Christ, Paul lived as a minister of reconciliation, an ambassador of God's Kingdom (see 2 Cor. 5:17-20). As a new creation in Christ, Paul lived to reach out to the lost to reconcile people to the Father. Likewise, if the believer has faith in his new identity in Christ as an ambassador of His Kingdom, he will demonstrate that faith by living to reach out to the lost with God's love. Faith works through love as we live as ambassadors of God's Kingdom and love God's salvation purposes.

We praise God for showing us what it means to live by faith in our new identity in Christ!

Upcoming events

16.02: Prophetic Training with Alexander Blair
22,23.03: Signs, wonders and the Kingdom of God conference with Dr Richard Maybery 

Quote of the week:

"If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come." 2 Cor. 5:17

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