A New Way of Living

What does it look like to follow Jesus in different seasons of life? Activities and jobs change; people walk with us for a while and then move along into other spheres; babies are born and the next thing you know they are grown up and having babies of their own. 

Some words from the Bible that have given me pause through many seasons, personally, and helped me focus on what was important and constant through the many changes are the following:

I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. Galatians 2:20

As followers of Jesus we believe that He died for us, taking the penalty of death for our sins so we could experience life forever with our Heavenly Father.  There’s a little song we used to sing, “New life, new life  is what we have been given by the Lord.”

What does that life look like?  These words are meant to help us understand that and live in a new way. I’ve reflected on them for years – not sure how much I really understand what it means for me to live them well but here’s where I’m at today with them.

I’m grateful that Jesus died for me.  My whole assurance of living well today as well as living forever in heaven after I die is based on God’s gift to me.

While I live and breathe on this earth there are things that I should be about.  God has planned good things for each of us to do today to make life better reflect His heart and values.  I only do that when I actually let His thoughts, His plans, His direction be lived out in me.  “Christ lives in me.”  I so often have to ask myself, “Have I allowed Christ to live in me today or have I been doing my own agenda?”  It’s a valid question.

The next phrases in this verse encourage me so much because there are so many times I don’t get it right, even though I’d like to.  That’s when I am “living by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.”

I get forgiveness when I fall down.  I get healing when I’m damaged by my wrong choices or those of others.  I get complete acceptance every moment of the journey because God loves me, without fail.  Jesus has put His Spirit in me and by His great power I can more and more live His will. 

What do these words look like in your life today?  How are you making them the focus of your decisions, your actions, your plans? 

Loving Heavenly Father, we are alive today, truly alive, as we rely on the forgiveness and new life that Jesus has given us.  We are grateful for that.  We want to be people who follow His will well today and grateful for forgiveness when we get it wrong. Thank you for loving us.  Thank you for giving Yourself for us.  Amen

I challenge all of us to reflect on these words and let God shape our day around them.