The change God makes in a life when one receives Jesus is as different as black and white, day and night.  Those who once walked in darkness, now walk in light as the Lord leads the way, if they are truly born again.  He makes all things new and recreates one after his attributes with the old passing away.  Life has new meaning and purpose when one is a Child of the Lord. 

We have a Heavenly Father and our citizenship is now from above as we are part of the family of God.  We are adopted children of the Most High and have a royal lineage as part of the Body of Christ on earth.  We now believe the report of the Lord instead of the reports of the world.  False accusations and words of the enemy have no power when we believe the Word of God.  He has declared us saved by his blood and free from condemnation as we have passed from death unto life. God's definition of a "new creation" is the only one which will stand, as his words are faithful and true.

'New ways for new days' are just what the Lord intends as a person takes up their cross daily and follows him. When one is "in Christ," they become new because of the power of the Lord in salvation, as they receive Him by faith.  With a new Master in their life, despair changes to dedication, and hopelessness to help.  God puts a new desire in hearts to serve Him in spirit and in truth and share his love with others.  He is not only our Lord and Savior but our dearest Friend.

Just as a tree sheds its old leaves and in the right season the new spring forth, so it is with a new Christian. The old man is put away and the new issues forth out of the heart.  We are to put on the new man of Christ, our spiritual armor, and have been provided the weapons for victory in spiritual warfare.  The work of God is an inside work of the heart, as grace is 'Jesus on the inside working on the outside' bringing spiritual changes as He renews by His Holy Spirit.  We receive his unmerited favor and his many blessings. "G.R.A.C.E."  has also been defined as receiving God's Riches At Christ's Expense which He freely gives us in His love.  Salvation and his mercy is the greatest gift of all and worth more than all the earthly riches.  His grace has a divine influence upon the heart which will be reflected in one's life and gratitude.  He paid a debt He did not owe....... we owed a debt we could not pay, but Jesus took our place to pay the price for our salvation through his precious blood shed on Calvary.  We are made free because of his mercy and grace given to us in love.

We are also to let the Lord prune away things that are unlike Him and as one grows in grace they will desire to be more like Him in all they do and say.  Old ways, habits, and ideas are constantly changed as one submits to the Lord and stays in His Word.  His Word is like water to one's soul that will help wash and cleanse away what needs to be removed out of a life, by the Holy Spirit.  His living water also refreshes, revives, and refills.  Sanctification is a work of the Spirit each day and as one yields to the Lord, he will let the washing of the water of His Word work within their life.  The Lord desires his people to be holy as He is holy or a separate people from the world.  We are to walk in the Spirit of the Lord and seek to please Him each day out of love in our hearts and thanksgiving to Him.

Those in Christ have love for Him and for each other, and this is a sign that one has passed from death unto life. Because He is love, His Spirit works in and through love, and will lead and guide us unto all truths.  We have been given the way, another day, and a renewed heart to pray.  All we have to do is keep looking up to Jesus and keep his commandments.  If we love Him, it is written, we will keep his commands and love Him with all our hearts.  We will also love our neighbor as ourselves and show forth the love of Christ to others. It is wonderful to know we are "new creatures" in Christ and as such, have his blessed assurance and promises to claim in our lives.

We give thanks for all He is to us, for all the marvelous things He has done and will do before the day of his appearing.  Jesus is the only answer for the world today. His shed blood will do the same today as it has done for over 2,000 years.  It still saves to the uttermost!   The blood of Jesus will never lose it's power. Whose report will we believe?  We will believe the report of the Lord! Whom the Son makes free is "free indeed."

Blessings in Christ,
Jo Ann Kelly (c) 2002

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