OBJECTIVE
TO UNDERSTAND WHAT IT MEANS TO HAVE A NEW LIFE WITH CHRIST.
INTRODUCTION
Just as we are born naturally into this world physically, also it is very necessary for us to be burn into the spirit world where God lives.(John 3:6) women is the source of our existence into this world. the same vein, without the new life(which we call the new life/new birth experience) we cannot enter the kingdom of God.
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WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO HAVE THE NEW LIFE
The new life means that recreated life that springs from God by the seed of the life of God himself that gives to a human being who accepts his son Jesus as lord and savior.
To have a new life, it means to be save from your life of sin, that is to be burn of water (Ephesians 5:26,Luke 1:28-38) and the spirit (Titus 3:3-5, Romans 8:7-9).
Because of the sin that came by our first parents, the spirit of unsaved man is dead, sinful and separated from God, but when you hear the message of salvation as God;s word and you believe, receive and take it by faith, your spirit is made alive in the realm of the spirit by the holy spirit of God, instantly your sins will be forgiven and you become holy as God is holy. this causes you to have life and have it abundantly as well making you free from the punishment awaiting the sinners. in other words, the new life experience is the salvation from the life of sin.
There are different words used to describe the depth of this decision to accept the new life.
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Words such as:
Redemption: God has purchased us back with his blood which he shed on the cross of Calvary(Galatians 4:1-5)
Justification- when you are free from your life of sin both the pass, present and future. (Romans 8:33)
Sanctification: the process of being made holy in the sight of God and also purified from sin.(1 cor 1:2,30)
Reconciliation: the restoration of friendship as a result of asking a person for forgiveness for your past sin towards him. ( Col 1:21)
Regeneration this is the process of transforming from spiritual death to a new life of salvation. (Titus 3:5)
WHY MUST ANY ONE ACCEPT THE THE NEW LIFE.
It all started by Adam our first parent when his nature was corrupt and sin came into the world through him. (psalm 51:5) and also death enter into the world.
Not only did he bring physical death, but also spiritual death that is total separation from God. Those who sin against God is condemned because of their sins . (Romans 3:23) those who reject God's love, tend to go through life not knowing the main essence why they came into the world and what they need to fulfill in life. (Jeremiah 29:11-12, 10:23)
This is not the case for those who walk with God like Jeremiah. (Jeremiah 1:5).
HOW CAN I HAVE THE NEW LIFE?
Now you know why you need salvation, you ought to know that the only way you can acquire this new life is through Jesus Christ.(act 4:12)
When Jesus was kill in the cross of Calvary, he died and took away sin and later, he rose to a new life in God. For any one to be save, he need to understand that he is a sinner and confess it to God. (Romans 3:23)
Also he need to believe that Jesus is the only way he can be save from his life of sin. (Act 16:30-31)
Thirdly, he need to confess his sin to God and ask for his forgiveness. (Hebrews 4:14-15, 5:1-2)
BENEFITS OF BEING SAVED
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Therefore once you are saved from your life of sin,
you will receive mercy from sins (Col 2:13-14)
Friendship with God almighty. (Col 1:21-22)
You will inherit all that belong to Christ our Lord. (Romans 8:17)
Having total peace with God. (Romans 5:1)
receiving the nature of salvation. (2 Cor 5:21)
Having the kind of life of Christ. (1 john 5:11;12)
Having the gift of the holy spirit. ( 1 Cor 2:12)
Heaven as your reward.
HOW DO I KNOW I HAVE THE NEW LIFE IN ME.
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You will be free from your life of sins. That is the spirit of God will minister to your own spirit that you are save from your life of sin. (Hebrews 11:13)
Once you accept his offer of salvation, you become delivered by his grace through your Faith. (Ephesians 2:8) and instantly you receive the holy spirit.
Also you will find out that you have peace with God. That is you will not have any guilt of sin and hatred from God any more.
WHAT DO GOD EXPECT US TO DO?
Now you are save from your life of sin, God expect you to do the following.
1.God want you to hold on to your new nature (salvation) and let it rule your life.
You should put all your attention on heavenly matters and no longer the things of the world.
God expect you to kill evil passions from your body. (Col 3:1-7)
You should put on heavenly attitudes like mercy, kindness, peace , etc.
God expect us to share what we have received with others so they too can be reconciled to God.
God expect us to live with his word in other for us to be modified. (John 159-10)
CONCLUSION
Accepting the new life is the act of faith and it has nothing to do with the physical. it expand your knowledge in Christ and it shows you the way to external Life. Let us try our possible best to get this new life with Christ.
Let your life add a meaning to others.