“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.” – 2 Corinthians 5: 17 NKJV
Welcome to the 15th weekly devotional recap of the year. This week, we learnt that by the influence of the Holy Spirit, we have a new nature, new possibilities, new habits, and new desires and ambitions.
We began on Monday with an emphasis on the transformative power of the Holy Spirit. At salvation, the man in Christ is made new and empowered by the Holy Spirit to overcome sin (Romans 6:11) and reflect God’s character. Walking in a manner consistent with our new nature requires surrendering to God and relying on the help of His Spirit. When we do, we witness the efficacy of the work that has been done in us.
On Tuesday, we learnt that with salvation came the ability to do away with our old man’s habits and cultivate new, godly ones (Ephesians 4:22-24). This is something that we have to do intentionally. Some habits that align with our new nature include prayer, bible study, and witnessing to others about Jesus. When you do these things, you will discover a shift in your desires and behaviors, and see that you are no longer irresistibly drawn to your former ways (Galatians 5:16).
Wednesday’s devotional showed us that salvation is a miracle of changed desires. Just as Peter left everything to follow Jesus (Luke 5:2-11), salvation shifts our perspective to value eternal treasures over worldly pursuits. The story of Paul’s conversion (Acts 9:1-22) is an example of how Jesus can transform the passions and priorities of a man. The man in Christ is made new, and his desires and ambitions are aligned with God’s purposes. Embrace your new identity by focusing on eternal things and living for Christ.
On Thursday, we learnt that the life we now have by the Spirit has given us new and endless possibilities (Mark 11:23). Impossibility is context-specific. By the Spirit and power of God, we can heal the sick, cast out demons, speak in new tongues, and do many more extraordinary things (Mark 16:17-18). The man in Christ is not ordinary; the Holy Spirit empowers him to do things men see as impossible!
We rounded the week with Friday’s article on our new identity and character as believers(Galatians 5:22-23). The outward workings of our new nature reflect our new identity as sons of God and members of His family. As citizens of a new kingdom, we are called to live above sin and exhibit behaviour consistent with our new nature (1 Peter 3:8-11).
Dear believer, you became a new man at salvation, and everything about you changed. Walk conscious of this every day of your life.
Have a great weekend!
Bible Reading Plan Catchup