NEWNESS OF LIFE

"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. For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection: 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" (Rom 6:4-6)

Devotion 9 of 11
WHAT IS NEWNESS OF LIFE?

Newness of life is more than a fresh start. In Scripture "new" means new order, or different type. Newness of life is a different kind of life. It is built upon different principles. The individual possessing it is motivated differently. He has different goals and different values. While he may have momentary lapses back to the "natural" order, that is not where his preferences lie. Such regressions are a heartbreak to those that are born again. They lament that any vestige of "oldness" remains in them.

Israel's example

Israel provides an example of this truth. Through the prophets, God told of a time when they would be different. The Messiah would induct "newness of life." How beautifully it was revealed by Ezekiel. "A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh" (Ezek 36:26). In contrast to a "stony" and unyielding heart, a "heart of flesh" would result in the individual being "directable." Those with "new spirit" would become tenderhearted. That was certainly something "new," or of a different order. The effect of this marvelous work confirms its greatness. "And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them" (Ezek 36:27). This happens in Christ Jesus.

A new life-principle

From another view, newness of life is a new principle of life. It is a living principle, not a philosophical one. The cause of this new life is our union with Jesus in His death, burial, and resurrection. In Christ we emerge from the tomb in which sin had enclosed us. "Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new" (2 Cor 5:17). Observe that the Spirit does not say the person in Christ OUGHT to be a new creation. Too often, that is what is preached. The Gospel informs us of what IS, not what should be! The truth is that if we are in Christ, we are in a state of newness.

The new man

That new life is often called "the new man" (Eph 4:24; Col 3:10). It is there, but it must be "put on." That is another way of saying "walk in newness of life." The reason for the exhortation is that we do not live in a vacuum. We are in a world destined for destruction. We live in a "vile body" (Phil. 3:20). A world of distraction surrounds us, calling out for our attention and devotion. Our personal adversary, the devil, is on the prowl, seeking whom he may devour (1 Pet. 5:8). Viewed any way other than "in Christ," we are in an impossible situation. But amid the conflicting and distracting sounds of "this present evil world" (Gal. 1:4), a stronger voice is heard. "Put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness" (Eph 4:24); "Put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him" (Col 3:10). Walk in the newness of life! Indulge your spirit in the refreshing water of life! "O taste and see that the LORD is good . . . " (Psa 34:8).

The preoccupation of the contemporary church with flesh and trivia is serious beyond description. In such a state, it is cut off from her Head, confined to obtuseness and decline. The old order has been cursed, and is to be "put off" and "denied" (Eph. 4:22; Col. 3:8,9). It has no part in the body of Christ, either individually or collectively. It has been cursed by God and cannot be blessed!

PRAYER POINT: Father, through Jesus Christ, Who is my life, bless my efforts to put on the new man and walk in the newness of life.

-- TOMORROW: THINGS THAT HAVE BECOME "NEW" --