A New Life With Christ

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In your mind what is one of the best things about Christianity? Besides the fact that we can spend eternity with the Lord. Right now we can also experience a new life in Christ.

He died for everyone so that those who receive his new life will no longer live for themselves. Instead, they will live for Christ, who died and was raised for them.  2 Corinthians 5:15

Who did Jesus die for? The Apostle Paul didn’t say that Christ died for them “all,” even though He did. Instead, he made his statement more specific. He said Christ died for every “one.” 

There was a popular song back in the late ’60s called “One is the Loneliest Number.” Its verse starts by saying “one is the loneliest number that you’ll ever do.”

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That statement especially rings true when a person goes through life without Christ. Even while standing in the middle of a room full of people, they can experience loneliness. 

Those in Christ, however, can always depend on the “one” who gives them new life. Isaiah told us that the Lord goes far beyond being just a presence within us.

Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand. Isaiah 41:10

Listen to what the Psalmist said about those who might tend to feel all alone. These couple of verses definitely refer to Christians who have new life in Christ.

Father to the fatherless, defender of widows—this is God, whose dwelling is holy. God places the lonely in families; he sets the prisoners free and gives them joy. But he makes the rebellious live in a sun-scorched land. Psalm 68:5-6

New Life With Christ

Prejudging Others

With that said, how often do you categorize or classify people in your minds? In other words, how often do you prejudge someone because of their past or present situations?

The next verse in 2 Corinthians 5 says the following about the way Paul had previously judged others.

So we have stopped evaluating others from a human point of view. 2 Corinthians 5:16

In the rest of that verse, Paul went on to tell us why his views changed. It happen when his view of Jesus changed.

At one time we thought of Christ merely from a human point of view. How differently we know him now! 2 Corinthians 5:16

He continued by reinforcing his position. Paul wanted to make sure that everyone knew they qualified for a new life with Christ.

This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun! 2 Corinthians 5:17

New Life With Christ

Those With New Life in Christ will Stand in Judgment

We know that Christ died for each “one” of us and has given us each new life. With that in mind verse 10 goes on to say that Christians will stand before the Lord for judgment.

For we must all stand before Christ to be judged. We will each receive whatever we deserve for the good or evil we have done in this earthly body. 2 Corinthians 5:10

This is not referring to salvation. You will not go to the Judgment Seat of Christ unless you are living this new life in Him.

Paul then compared our works to a variety of materials—gold, silver, jewels, wood, hay, or straw. And those works will go through the fire.

The fire will show if a person’s work has any value. If the work survives, that builder will receive a reward. But if the work is burned up, the builder will suffer great loss. The builder will be saved, but like someone barely escaping through a wall of flames. 1 Corinthians 3:13-15

Review

Let’s review how you as a Christian can receive encouragement through what you have just read.

  • Christ died so you can have new life.
  • You are never alone when the Lord is a part of your life.
  • You have the same opportunities in Jesus as those you feel inferior to.
  • Those who seem inferior to you also have the same opportunities that you do.
  • The Lord will reward you for your works that survive the fire.

His presence in your life is a great positive. Therefore rejoice because he told us that he will never leave us nor forsake us. He is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.

So, “ONE” doesn’t have to be a lonely number in your life. Especially when you focus on the “ONE” who can change your life.  In fact, Christ is the “ONE” who will give you new life.

Lord, thank you that your son Jesus Christ died so we can have new life. We know our new life helps us never feel like we are alone again.

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