Bible Reading: Psalm 75-77; Romans 6;
Memory Verse: “Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.” Romans 6:4 (KJV)
When someone who is a Nigerian becomes a citizen of America by marriage, he is given several benefits of the citizenship such as not queuing for visa to go to America and a host of other nations. However, if he does not know that he has such benefits, it does not nullify them. He can in fact believe he cannot travel to America because he does not have an American Visa in addition to missing several other benefits that his American citizenship confers on him, when in fact he does not need An American visa again to travel! However, in addition to those benefits, there are obligations on his part as well.
Similarly, there are certain benefits and obligations that becoming a Christian confers on someone but if you do not know them, you will be suffering when you should be joyful! This is why it’s important that you study the word of God to know those privileges that being a disciple of Jesus Christ confers on you as well as the obligations. Firstly your sins, no matter how great, is forgiven and you are enjoined to walk with the Lord Jesus Christ henceforth.
This is why 2 Corinthians 5:17 (KJV) says, “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” What then are the old things? All forms of sinful behavoiuor in the past whether glaring such as stated in Mark 7:21-22 (KJV), “For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, [22] Thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness” or it could be subtle such as loving and making a lie (Revelation 22:15 KJV.); envy and jealousy (James 3:14) and filthy communication ( Colossians 3:8).
In addition, you should have a heart of flesh showing love to other human beings particularly the less privileged. Thus you should feed the hungry, clothe the naked, house the homeless ( Matthew 25:35-36) and visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction. ( James 1:27).
All the above and even more cannot be fulfilled by your old self no matter how goodly you are but when you are a true disciple of the Lord, you have love of Christ and love for every human being you come across irrespective of his/her race, status, or background. That love propels you to do all the above and even more to anyone who is your neighbour. Thus, you need to have love to be able to walk in newness of life. This is why a new disciple is given a new heart of flesh to make him show love to others like Christ ( Ezekiel 36:26). Hence you are identified with. Christ as stated in Romans 6:4 (KJV), “Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.”
Prayer point:
Father, give me the grace to walk in the newness of life in Jesus name.
Bro. Biodun Oyapero