New Life for the Living
Today was more of a restful day. I had a fitness center workout and connected with a new trainer today. I did run some errands and took the dog on a walk.
I have been monitoring the bill on “assisted suicide for terminally ill patients.” It looks like it will be at least an eight hour hearing. While this issue has been a topic over the years as far as I know this is the first piece of legislation in Colorado to address the issue. I am confident that this bill will not make it through the process, but it may be the beginning of hammering away at another critical issue for our state.
BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY… “So far as the Law is concerned, however, I am dead—killed by the Law itself—in order that I might live for God. I have been put to death with Christ on his cross, so that it is no longer I who live, but it is Christ who lives in me. This life that I live now, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave his life for me.” Galatians 2:19,20
The good news of the gospel is about death and resurrection. A new life. We often reflect on the death of Christ for our sins on the cross and the resurrection as the full provision of our new life in Christ and hope for the future.
But the Christian life is all about new life and resurrection. It is not adopting just a life-style or worldview. It is not accepting a set of teachings or a philosophy about life. All of those may be a part of our life as Christ-followers, but to understand the dynamic life we have in Christ, is to grab a hold of understanding that death and resurrection is something that we all experience in a spiritual sense, that has practical ramifications for our life.
Paul in writing the Church in Galatia, spends some considerable time discussing the relationship between the law and faith. The law can’t make us right with God. The law speaks of sin and death. That is why Paul says, “as far as the law is concerned…I am dead.” But that “death by law” was necessary for us to entered into life with Christ.
That is why the Bible says, “all have sinned…” and that the “wages of sin is death.” That is why Jesus said, “you must be born again.” And with that new life is the “gift of eternal life.” Paul recognizes the universal sacrifice of Christ for the sin of the world, when he says, “I am crucified with Christ…” Crucified, yet alive. Alive as a “new creation” living a new life through faith in God’s Son.
This is what is pictured in baptism. That is why this ordinance of the Church through the ages is so important. It is a constant reminded of death and resurrection through Christ.
Paul admonished the Romans, “…count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus.” (Romans 6:11)
Paul reminded the Colossians, “For you died to this life, and your real life is hidden with Christ in God.” (Colossians 3:3) Paul goes on and says this new life requires decisive action and a mindset made new through Christ. “Put to death therefore what is earthly in you…put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator.” (Colossians 3:5-10)
Consider as well 2 Corinthians 5:15 “…he [Christ] died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again.“
I am thankful for the new life that is ours through Christ. A new life not lived to gain favor, but to please Him who has done so much for us and promises to be with us in every situation, in every day we live. That is certainly a lesson that has been made real to me, when every day was filled with uncertainty. Whether it was uncertainty of living, walking, talking, regaining health… We must live each day in the strength the Lord gives us as we trust in Him. We can know resurrection life, even in this life.