SUNDAY June 20, 2021

Walk in Newness of Life

This I say, therefore, and testify in the Lord, that you should no longer walk as the rest of the Gentiles walk, in the futility of their mind, having their understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God, because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart; who, being past feeling, have given themselves over to lewdness, to work all uncleanness with greediness.
Ephesians 4:17-19

What is a Christian to be like? Paul the Apostle started these verses with the word therefore. This word takes us back to what he had already explained to us. A believer should already know who they are in Christ. It should be kept in their memory. Now Christians must put the Word of God into practice. In Romans 6:4, Paul used the symbolism seen in baptism to teach us how we should walk in newness of life:

Therefore we were buried with Him [Christ] through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.

Once you have said to people you are a Christian, they will be watching your life. What kind of life are you living in front of them? Are you doing the same sinful things, or has there been a visible, supernatural change in your life? That is important. If they do not see any change in your life, they will know you are a Christian by word only. There has been no evident change seen in your conduct.

Paul was the writer of 14 books of the Bible, and the Holy Spirit is the One who inspired him to write them. God’s Spirit illuminates the Scriptures to us: All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness (2 Timothy 3:16). The Bible is not a common book of literature. It was not written just to be observed or studied, but to be obeyed. In Psalm 119:2, we are told: Blessed are those who keep His testimonies, who seek Him with the whole heart! Are you doing so? Can others see a change in you?

God is God. Because he is God, he is worthy of my obedience.
~Amy Carmichael~

For more from Raul Ries, please visit SomebodyLovesYou.com!