God’s grace transforms us from dead sinners to new creations. God has “made us alive together with Christ” (Eph 2:5), resulting in a transformed life. But how often do we think of being a Christian as a transformed life and instead see the Christian life as a club we join or a hobby we undertake? Being a Christian consumes our life and identity. We are compelled as new creations to live unto Christ.

But sin is still a reality for the Christian and will continue to be a reality until we are with the Lord in glory. The reality of sin does not change the fact that the Spirit has regenerated us, and new life has been implanted in us, governing us and desiring holiness. Though we sin, we must no longer live as before. We turn away from sin and no longer live for sin but for Christ.

Jesus clearly states that to enter the kingdom of heaven, we MUST be born again (John 3:7) and raised together with Christ to a new life. When Jesus dies on the cross, he is “raised” up, and in undertaking the cross, we see our own redemption as he pours out his blood so that we might be cleansed and born again. In order to be a new creation, Christ must be lifted up on the cross (John 3:14-15), and we must be born again (John 3:7).

This week, we focus on the grace that has been given to renew us and transform our desire to live no longer for ourselves but for Christ.

Questions
1. The New Testament says that Christians are now dead to sin. How does this work out in our experience? How is it working out in your personal experience?