2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
This is a very powerful scripture indeed! Because the Apostle Paul tells us that once we are in Christ, we have become a new creature or new creation. Old things have passed away, and all things have become new!
This scripture is for every believer in Christ, whether you are young, old, new believer, mature believer, recommitted believer or a person who is desiring to be all they can be in Christ.
If you just accepted Christ, got baptized or recommitted your life to Christ. It is even more important!~
So, lets explain this powerful change in our lives, once we are born again through salvation in Christ, and baptized in Jesus name!
Jesus told a religious leader named Nicodemus, in the book of John, that he must be born again in order to see the Kingdom of God and to enter into the Kingdom of God!
Joh 3:3 Jesus answered and said to him, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”
Joh 3:4 Nicodemus said to Him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born?”
Joh 3:5 Jesus answered, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.
Joh 3:6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.
So, literally Jesus told him that he was born into this world via flesh, but in order to be born again, he must born of the spirit in order to enter into God’s kingdom.
This is what is referred to as being born again! This time, not of natural flesh, water and blood (via mama and daddy), but through (salvation in Christ) by the spirit, water and blood!
The only way this can be accomplished is via repentance, confession of sin, receiving Christ as LORD and Savior, then baptism! This is how we become new creatures in Christ! (Read Acts 2:38)
Paul then tells us, that if any man or woman be in Christ, (through salvation and being born again of the spirit) old things which are the old nature, thoughts, deeds, words and actions are passed away, and all things have become new!
Which means you are a new creature, washed clean through the water and blood of Christ, and you have the new birth in Christ spiritually!
So, if you have been born again in Christ! Just got baptized, or recommitted your life to Christ! The question is what do I do now?
Well, in order to grow, you must eat the right things spiritually!
When a new baby comes into this world, we don’t give them meat, we give them milk and we support them. So in order to grow you must:
- Read and study the Word of God! Jesus said in Mat 4:4, But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeded out of the mouth of God.
- In other words, you need a healthy diet from the Word of God. Don’t just get the sweets and goodies of the word, which is the feel good stuff. But partake of everything that helps you grow strong in Christ! Which are the vegetables of the Word as well!
- How do you do that? Get a daily devotional of your choice, or get a daily bread devotional where you can read a scripture and word of encouragement each day or read it online at https://www.odbm.org/devotionals or do a personal bible study.
- You can also read the Proverbs for wisdom, or read the Psalms for praise and worship related things.
- To learn more about Christ, read the Gospels for the life of Christ, and all that Christ taught the disciples about the Kingdom of God. Especially the book of John.
- You can also read the letters also called Epistles from the Apostles. Some good ones to start with are Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians and James. There are many more, but these are a start.
- There are some things to remember when reading and studying: 1. Remember to ask the Holy Spirit to give you clarity and understanding 2. Read often and 3. Read slowly.
- Listen to the Word of God. The Bible says that in Rom 10:17, So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
- Listen to the Word of God from your Pastors and other leaders who are preaching and teaching good biblically inspired sermons and teachings.
- Take good notes from what you read and hear! Just like a student in a college class would take notes. So should you! There is no way a person can remember every word from the sermon and Bible study all the time. So taking notes enables you to go back and read and get a confirmation to remember all you heard.
- Ask Questions. Sometimes, no matter how much we hear, read or study, we need someone to show us or teach us so we can understand it!
- This is confirmed in the book of Act 8:30, “So Philip ran to him, and heard him reading the prophet Isaiah, and said, “Do you understand what you are reading?” Act 8:31 “And he said, “How can I, unless someone guides me?” And he asked Philip to come up and sit with him.
- You can also talk to your Pastor, a leader in the church, or someone you trust!
- Last but not least, stay connected to Christ and the Body of Christ! Go to church, go to Bible study, and participate in corporate prayer and church ministries!
These are some of the things that a new believer, a recommitted believer, or even a mature believer can do to grow strong in the LORD!
Remember putting on Christ or being in Christ, is like a seat belt in a car on a journey. On this Christian journey, there can be dangers, toils, and snares.
While you are on this spiritual journey, if you have a situation, accident, trial, or tribulation, you have the blessed assurance of Christ, who is your salvation seat belt of protection.
The Lord will protect you in the midst of anything you go through in this journey of life so you don’t crash out!
So, be encouraged in your spiritual growth and life in Christ, and always be all you can be in the LORD!
God bless, Pastor Quinn