Challenged To Change

Scripture clearly teaches us that prior to a genuine salvation experience we are separated from from by our thoughts and actions. (Col.1:21). It just stands to reason then that any "God provided salvation" is going to effects both our thinking and our actions. Often the challenge we face is, "How does new life in Christ work?" And more importantly, "How do I get Jesus' 'new life' working in my life? 

"New Life in Christ" is all about a new spiritual power source. Getting it working for us is all about consistantly making right choices to trust in God's power to obey His Word. The purpose of this Blog is to give a clear foundation for anticipating maximum power release in our life.

Empowered To Live

Jesus makes this powerful statement in John 10:10  "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly." 

Jesus makes it very clear that there are two powers seeking to influence human life, your life, my life. The powers of darkness purpose to steal kill and destroy. On the other hand Jesus has come to give life in abundance. What life is He referring to here and what abundance should be expected? 

As the driver of this Top Fuel Dragster throttles up, the engine comes to life with a mighty roar and that life trusts this machine down the 1/4 mile in less than 4 seconds and at a speed in excess of 315 mph. That's miles per-hour not kilometers per-hour.

When this engine "comes to life" it accomplishes its intended purpose and enables this Top Fueler to also realize the purposes for which it was engineered. The key element to the dragster's success is its power source. 8000 horse power from only a 500 cubic inches of engine! 

God's Word emphatically states, "YOU MUST BE BORN AGAIN". What's so important here? Why did Jesus say that unless people are "Born Again" by the power of God they will neither see nor enter the eternal Kingdom of God? It's all about receiving a "new power source"; a spiritual engine capable of thrusting us forward into Christlikeness. 

As people we're birthed into this world with the fallen human nature, a nature completely incapable of pleasing God. Human nature is a power source incapable of catapulting us into Christlikeness. No amount of religious revamping or disciplining will ever give the "old engine" the power needed to accomplish God's purposes for us. We must have an "engine change"! We must receive from the Lord the power source (engine) that has been built to both please God and enable us to run the spiritual race with the capability of winning.

As Christians we need to come to the place where we understand that our "old self" is absolutely incapable of perform to the spiritual standards set by God.  Rom 8:7,8 - For the sinful nature is always hostile to God. It never did obey God's laws, and it never will. 8 That's why those who are still under the control of their sinful nature can never please God. Maybe you've heard or even used the term, "there's a little bit of good in everyone". This isn't the way the Apostle Paul understood the "old nature". Notice what he says in Romans 7:18  "And I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature".  For this reason we must experience God giving us the  new "power source" of His Holy Spirit.

2 Cor. 5:17 - Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come (EVS) 

When truly "Born Again" by the power of God we are not only forgiven our sins we are given an entirely new spiritual "power source". This "New Life in Christ" is what Jesus means when He says that He came to give life in abundance. What really is life? Is it not the power to live! To think that "abundant life" is merely receiving "abundance in life" (things) is certainly limiting God's vision. Jesus has come so that we can receive from Him "New Life", a power source capable of glorifying Christ through our thoughts and actions. 

Notice what Paul says in Ph. 4:13 "For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength". Think of this truth! Everything! In order for that to be the truth it must fully embrace the hard things. Things like loving our enemies, loving our neighbors as our self, forgiving the unforgivable. It includes having the spiritual resources to put behind us negative, crushing experiences, failures and shortcomings and embrace the new day that God has purposed for us. It means having the spiritual resources to forgive our self and move forward without the heavybaggage that drags people down. It is absolutely possible for Christians to love one another as Christ loves them. It's absolutely possible for us to lay our lives down for one another. Yes it is. We can love Christians who hold to differing views than our own. To young Pastor Timothy Paul said, "For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline" (2Tim. 1:7). 

The clear teaching of Scripture is that as Christians we are not in competition against each other, however there is a race to be won. Paul uses "people racing" to teach the importance of determination and proper "goal setting". 1Cor. 9:24-26  Don't you realize that in a race everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize? So run to win! 25 All athletes are disciplined in their training. They do it to win a prize that will fade away, but we do it for an eternal prize. 26  So I run with purpose in every step. 

The competitors in the personal spiritual race are "worldly verses spiritual". We do have two power sources to draw from. We're either going to live under the influence of the "old nature" or that of the "new one". The choice is ours! The driver of the "Top Fueler" must choose to accelerate as well as steer the machine as it heads for the finish line. Amos 3:3 - Can two people walk together without agreeing on the direction? 

The driver of the dragster knows the potential of his car and races accordingly. As God's people we should understand the spiritual potential of our new power source. What are we capable of? What can be accomplished as it pertains to matured Christlikeness in our life? Eph.2:10 - For we are God's masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things He planned for us long ago. We can please God! We can arrive at the destiny chosen for us in Christ. Eph. 4:24 - Put on your new nature, created to be like God—truly righteous and holy. This is not an exaggeration! It is however, our goal, our finish line as it were.

                                                                                                                                                         

There are definite rewards given by the Lord. He believes in rewards and when Jesus returns there'll be a "Rewards Banquet" of sorts. At times we can feel that choosing to serve Lord by obey the Word and being directed by the Holy Spirit costs a lot. Be sure that in the light of eternity they'll be less than nothing. Our decision to do it God's way will be worth it all. 

2Tim. 4:8 - And now the prize awaits me—the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me on the day of His return. And the prize is not just for me but for all who eagerly look forward to His appearing. 

In the book of Revelation 22:12 said  "Look, I am coming soon, bringing My reward with Me to repay all people according to their deeds." Let's run to win. We have the potential. We have "New Life". We have the spiritual "Power Source" capable of honoring and glorifying the Lord Jesus Christ. He purchased "new life", a "new power source" for us with His shed blood and He has given it to us. In Jesus name let's throtle up and head for the finish line expecting to win. Let's glorify Christ in the "here and now" by living in "love obedience" to His Word through the power of the Holy Spirit. The race is on!