Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified their sinful self. They have given up their old selfish feelings and the evil things they wanted to do. We get our new life from the Spirit, so we should follow the Spirit.
Jesus promised His followers that they would receive the Holy Spirit when He ascended into Heaven, and He kept His promise. For Jesus to keep this promise, though, He had to die and rise again. The Holy Spirit now indwells every believer in Jesus Christ. For this promise to be fulfilled in each of us, something has to die… and that something is our old selves.
Our old selves are sinful and corrupt. Our old desires are selfish and evil. Our old selves are crucified with Jesus Christ and are left behind at the cross. When we come to faith in Christ by God’s grace, we are given a new life by the Holy Spirit. He comes to live in our hearts and begins to transform us from the inside out. Our old selves are dead and gone and our new life begins!
This new life is given to us by the Spirit of God. This new life is marked by Christlikeness, not by selfishness and self-centeredness. Jesus becomes the center of our lives, and the Spirit changes us daily. Sin no longer has mastery over us. Instead, we submit to God’s Spirit. We follow the Holy Spirit’s leading and guidance each day on this adventure that is our new life.
Walk daily with the Spirit, friend, and He will lead you home.
By Shawn Cornett, Bible League International staff, Indiana U.S.
