A REPLACEMENT OF THE OLDWITH THE NEW For when we were in the flesh, the motions of sins, which were by the law, did work in our members to bring forth fruit unto death. But now we aredelivered from the law, that being dead wherein we were held; that we should serve in newness of spirit, and not in theoldness of the letter (Romans 7:5-6).
Our opening scripture is part of Apostle Paul’s letter to the Church in Rome, where he admonished them to serve God in newness of spirit,and not according to the old ways of the flesh. Why is this important? It’s because the Christian is essentially a new creation; a brand new man, born with the life and nature of God. Therefore, to serve God in newness of spirit means to serve Him in your present state as one who’s been recreated in righteousness and true holiness, and not according to the Law or the senses.
This brings us to an understanding of what Paul said in 2 Corinthians 5:17 that if any man is in Christ, he is a new creature; old things—the old life of the flesh and everything associated with it—are passed away, and all things have become new. Being born again, you’ve put on the “new man” who, according to Colossians 3:10, is renewed in knowledge in the image of God that created him. Think about that! Nowonder the Bible says as He is, so are we in this world (1 John 4:17).
Romans 6:6 says, “Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.” The old life was supplanted with the life of Christ. It wasn’t just a mere change that took place in you when you were born again; it was a translation, a replacement of the old with the new. It’s a brandnew life. This new life transcends this world. It can’t be tainted by the corrupting influences of the earthly realm.
Romans 6:4 says, “Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.” Theexpression “newness of life” means that the old life has been completely replaced by a new one that never existed before. This new life has its origin in God. Glory to His Name forever!
CONFESSION
Thank you blessed Father for the life of Christ in me, for making me a partaker of the divine nature and causing your divinity to be expressed in and through me. I walk in the consciousness of my new life and nature in Christ today and always, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.
FURTHER STUDY:
Ephesians 4:22-24; Colossians 3:9-10
1-YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN: Luke 17:20-18:1-14 & 1 Samuel 8-10
2-YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN: Romans 12:9-21 & Psalm 119:161-176
