New Life, New Spirit
Luke 24:1-9—Preacher: Ps Paw Liang
Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here; he has risen!
Each time you come to pray and worship the Lord, what kind of God you’re encountering? Easter Sunday reminds us, the God we worship is alive. Death is unable to subdue Him.
Mencius said, “人之初，性本善” He believed that everyone was born clean and morally good. This has become the seed for humanism (atheism), where people tend to believe on their on “self-will” rather than “the will of God”; their mind-power instead of God’s power. This may also have influenced our Christian practice: while we said we believe in God, but in practice we count on our own will and strength rather than God’s grace. We may be perplexed to see sometimes how parents would be fooled around by their little kids. Especially if they do not have a good team work in handling their kids. Kids are smart creatures, they can listen to the parents body language and tone of voice, and make use of the circumstances. Where do they get all these?
Sin is like leaking ink that has tainted every page of our book of life. We need a new book and not just a new leaf. Jesus comes not just to add more some quality years in our life. But He is giving us a new book of life. The past has gone. The question is: Have you surrendered your old life to Him? To be crucified and buried with Him so that He can give you a new life (Rom 6:4).
New Life, New Spirit: the Spirit of God works “to create a new life in Jesus, refashions us after the image of God in His righteousness and holiness. The Spirit turns around our hearts from the love of the world to the love of God. Our entire self was changed: ourthinking, feeling, will, and action. Just like new flowers that come out in the spring, this new life grows gradually into the likeness of Christ. The Spirit instills in us the taste of God. As His grace works in our hearts, gratitude begins to arise and our eyes begin to see our selves in the light of His love. And eventually it shifts our direction from self-glory to God’s glory. Deep inside us we know that “Christ is the Lord. He has the power over the earth and heaven. He loves me. He has the best interest of me. Who else can I trust?” In His glory will I find my glory! You begin to realize you need to be keep your steps with His spirit. Walk in the Spirit not in the flesh anymore. Walk in His way, not the way of the world or my own way.
On Good Friday, we do “the Nails of the Cross” to consciously calling us to surrender our life, our sins (Gal 5:19-21)—pride, betrayal, envy, indecision, reward-seeking, hatred, etc. to be crucified and buried with Christ so there will be enough rooms for the new life to bear it’s fruits—love, gentleness, patient, joy, humility, peace, kindness, and goodness (Gal 5:22-23).
He is risen! He offers you a new life! Don’t look for him among the dead! Go and start a new life with Him with a new spirit！
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