Exchanged Life
Have you ever wanted to exchange your life for a different one? You have messed up so much that you wish to wipe the slate clean and start over. If only that were possible, you say. Well, it is possible.
The apostle Paul tells us in 2 Corinthians 5:17, “If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; all things have become new.” NKJV
When Jesus Christ died on the cross, all of our old nature died with Him. What we inherited naturally from Adam died at the cross with Christ. Nothing of the old can enter or be a part of the new life. He not only took on all our filthy sins but took on our very nature that sins. All the things that hold us in bondage are gone because the dead are not bothered by anything. Now it is up to us to give up our old life and let it die.
If we acknowledge that we have died with Him, we will no longer be bound to our past—who we were and what we have done. It will be dead to us. Just think about this…nothing can bother a dead person, right? The same is true with dying to self and everything around us. It doesn’t mean that we are physically dead, or that we no longer care for those around us. However, it does mean that nothing and nobody has a hold on us.
How does the exchange happen?
When Christ was raised from the dead, we were raised also. It has been done. A new life is waiting for us. All that is left for us to do is accept it by faith as reality. When we accept it as so, then the life of Christ will be able to live through us.
Temptations will still come, but they have no power over us. When Satan knocks on our door with a temptation, let Jesus answer.
We don’t have to be afraid of not measuring up. We can embrace it. Then turn to God to let Him live by His Holy Spirit through us. Helplessness is the key. It is essential. Our only duty is actively yielding to Him. Always aware of our need. Always aware of His Life in us.
Exchanged life is an infused life
If we give Him our lives to be replaced by His life and power, then His very life permeates our being. If we allow it, His life will begin to fill every crack, crevice, and space in our lives. Like a tea bag infusing a cup of water. It will find every space and fill it. So it is with the life of God. Over time He will fill our lives pushing out all the old. Filling it with a new life. Infusing us with His life.
We will be free from who we were—from what used to bother us, from our shortcomings and failures. We will be free from our painful past, our addictions, and our disappointments.
If it is God’s life source flowing through our being, then we will have an incredible life! He is not bothered by depression, anger, hate, cheating, perversion, coveting, selfishness, pride, self-pity, disrespect, lust, lies, etc. He is not stressed. The evidence of His life in us will be peace, joy, love, etc. Not that we are required to be peaceful, etc., but it will be evidence of His life.
I will explore this more in a week or two.
Dear Lord God, open our eyes to the truth that is in Jesus Christ. How His life can be our life right now—His death, burial, and resurrection can be our death, burial, and resurrection to a new life.
Words to light your path
Galatians 2:20 I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. ESV
2 Corinthians 5:17 If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; all things have become new. NKJV
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