Are You Living “the New Life”?

Taking Stock of Our Christian Lives. Every Christian should be living “the new life” in Christ, yet some have unwittingly returned to the old one! We all need to be reminded of the great spiritual significance of baptism. By reviewing our baptism and the life we now live today, we put ourselves to an extremely important test!

2 Corinthians 13:5 (NASB) Test yourselves to see if you are in the faith; examine yourselves! Or do you not recognize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you — unless indeed you fail the test?

“The New Life” Begins at Baptism! There is a spiritual connection to Christ at baptism (Rom. 6:4).

Romans 6:4 (NASB) Therefore we have been buried with Him through baptism into death, in order that as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life. – cf. Col. 2:12 Note: Baptism from BAPTIZO = “immersion” (Thayer’s Greek Lexicon)

Baptism is for penitent believers only (e.g., Acts 2:38; 8:36-38). Baptism is a serious act for people who can and will take it seriously! Baptism is for penitent believers only (e.g., Acts 2:38; 8:36-38). The person who chooses to be baptized has decided to repent of sin (or crucify the “old man”) and (as a person “dead in sin”) be buried with Jesus through baptism.

Faith + Repentance + Baptism = Salvation / “New Life”

Baptism (a burial or immersion in water) represents the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Romans 6:4 (NASB) Therefore we have been buried with Him through baptism into death, in order that as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life.

Death Burial Resurrection The Cross of Christ is God’s offer of Eternal Life… Baptism is our acceptance.  

Galatians 3:27 (NKJV) For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. - cf. Act 2:38; 22:16; 1 Pet 3:21; Eph 1:3

“The New Life” Begins at Baptism! There is a spiritual connection to Christ at baptism (Rom. 6:4). Baptism is not just about being saved, but about the start of a “new life”! Christians need reminders of the spiritual significance of the baptism they once received!

Romans 6:3-4 (NASB) 3 Or do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus have been baptized into His death? 4 Therefore we have been buried with Him through baptism into death, in order that as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life.

Our baptism into Christ is not an event merely to be affectionately remembered for salvation, but an event that altered our future for life!

No one can begin the new life in Christ until he has been baptized! Romans 6:4 (NASB) Therefore we have been buried with Him through baptism into death, in order that as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life.

“The New Life” Means a Changed Life! A discontinuation of sin.

Romans 6:1-2 (NASB) 1 What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace might increase? 2 May it never be! How shall we who died to sin still live in it? – cf. Jude 4; Titus 2:11-12

Romans 6:1-2 (NASB) 1 What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace might increase? 2 May it never be! How shall we who died to sin still live in it?

Romans 6:3 (NASB) Or do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus have been baptized into His death?

Romans 6:5-6 (NASB) 5 For if we have become united with Him in the likeness of His death, certainly we shall be also in the likeness of His resurrection, 6 knowing this, that our old self was crucified with Him, that our body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin; - cf. Gal. 2:20

“The New Life” Means a Changed Life! A discontinuation of sin. Following in the footsteps of Jesus.

Imitating the Raised Christ Romans 6:5, 8, 11 (NASB) 5 For if we have become united with Him in the likeness of His death, certainly we shall be also in the likeness of His resurrection, …8 Now if we have died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with Him… 11 Even so consider yourselves to be dead to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus. - 1 John 2:6

“The New Life” Means a Changed Life! A discontinuation of sin. Following in the footsteps of Jesus. Freedom from the slavery of sin

Romans 6:6-7 (NASB) 6 knowing this, that our old self was crucified with Him, that our body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin; 7 for he who has died is freed from sin. – cf. John 8:31-36

Ephesians 1:7 (NASB) In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace,

Romans 6:17-18 (NASB) 17 But thanks be to God that though you were slaves of sin, you became obedient from the heart to that form of teaching to which you were committed, 18 and having been freed from sin, you became slaves of righteousness.

The promise of a new life rebukes the defeatist who says change is too difficult. In Christ, we CAN live new and better lives!

Are You Living “the New Life”?

Are you living the new life as a disciple of Jesus? Acts 11:26 (NASB) … the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch. A disciple is “a learner… one who follows one’s teaching” (Vine’s Expository Dictionary)

Matthew 10:24 (NASB) “A disciple is not above his teacher, nor a slave above his master.” - Are you committed to learning from your Teacher, your Master Jesus? (e.g., Mat. 5:1ff; John 18:37b)

“The new life” requires a dedication to learning all that you can from your new Master!

Matthew 11:29-30 (KJV) 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. – cf. 1 John 5:3; 2 Tim. 2:15 Note: “Yoke” = “servitude (a law or obligation)” – Strong’s Greek Dictionary

John 8:31 (NLT) Jesus said to the people who believed in him, "You are truly my disciples if you keep obeying my teachings.

Colossians 3:17 (NASB) And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father.

Disciples are also “imitators of their teacher” (Vine’s Expository Dictionary). To be like Jesus, we must answer His call of self-denial.

Luke 9:23 (NASB) And He was saying to them all, “If anyone wishes to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me.”

1 Peter 2:21 (NASB) For you have been called for this purpose, since Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example for you to follow in His steps,

Imitators of Jesus are radically different than the rest of the world! Genuine, not superficial, love for one another (John 15:12-13). Love for enemies, not hatred (Mat 5:48) Compassion for sinners instead of mere disgust (Mat. 9:13, 36). Correcting, not condoning error (Mt 23) Anger for sin (John 2:13-17; Mark 3:5). Commitment to prayer / worship (Mark 1:35)

Galatians 2:20 (NASB) “I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me, and delivered Himself up for me.”

How have you changed since you began the new life? What is the difference between your former life and the new life you now have in Christ? (Eph. 4:21-24; cf. Col. 3:9-10)

Ephesians 4:21-22 (NASB) 21 if indeed you have heard Him and have been taught in Him, just as truth is in Jesus, 22 that, in reference to your former manner of life, you lay aside the old self, which is being corrupted in accordance with the lusts of deceit,

Ephesians 4:23-24 (NASB) 23 and that you be renewed in the spirit of your mind, 24 and put on the new self, which in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth.

“The New Self” Are you the same person you were before? Have you changed? Are you still changing and for the better?

How have you changed since you began the new life? What do you see when you look into the “mirror” of God’s word? Do you see Christ in you? (James 1:22-25; 2 Cor. 13:5) Have the people who have known you over the years seen positive changes in your life? (Mat. 5:16) Do you believe God has seen positive changes in you? (Ps. 139:1ff.)

1 Thessalonians 4:1 (NASB) Finally then, brethren, we request and exhort you in the Lord Jesus, that, as you received from us instruction as to how you ought to walk and please God (just as you actually do walk), that you may excel still more.

We must work to make spiritual changes and grow. Our faith (2 Thes. 1:3), love (Phil. 1:9; 1 Thes. 3:12), and good works (1 Cor. 15:58) should continue to increase as time goes on.

Each person is either growing in Christ OR he is digressing and getting weaker spiritually (2 Pet 1:8-9).

Spiritual CHANGE for the better will come for every Christian who walks by faith each day (2 Cor. 4:16)

What “new things” have come into your life? 2 Cor. 5:17 (NASB) Therefore if any man is in Christ, he is a new creature (creation – KJV); the old things passed away; behold, new things have come.

What new things have come into your life? A new way of thinking (Rm 12:2; Phil 4:8) New values & priorities (Mt 6:19-21, 33) A new purpose (Eph 2:10; Eccl 12:13) A new lifestyle (1 Cor. 6:9-11) A new perspective on marriage & family (Mat. 19:1-12; Eph 6:4) New friends (2 Cor 6:14-17; 1 Cor 15:33; 1 Pet. 4:4) A new goal (Phil. 3:3-14)

Is the aim of your new life to “seek the things which are above”?

Colossians 3:1-4 (NASB) 1 If then you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth. 3 For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ, who is our life, is revealed, then you also will be revealed with Him in glory. - cf. Col. 2:12

Philippians 3:14 (NASB) I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. – cf. Phil. 1:23; John 14:1-3; 1 Thes. 4:17; Rev. 22:1-5

“The New Life” is the Best Life There is, Leading Us to Eternal Life!